It's not what you think.
The Sleep Secret To Improving Your Memory Consolidation, According To Research We all know that sleep serves a number of functions for our bodies, our minds, and our overall well-being. One of those functions is memory consolidation—and according to research published in the journal Nature, those memories get consolidated, in part, thanks to our breath.
Here's what to know. Studying sleep, breath & memory Previous research has shown that sleep affects memory and, further, that slow oscillations and spindles in the brain are what encourage memory retention. So for this study, researchers wanted to better understand the rhythms of those slow oscillations and sleep spindles .Over the course of two sessions, they had participants look at 120 different images that were all associated with different words, followed by a ~two-hour nap in a sleep lab.While they were both looking at images and sleeping, brain activity and breathing rate were monitored. Once they woke up from their respective naps, participants had to try to remember the word associations of the images.And fascinatingly enough, there was a strong link between breathing and the reactivation of memories, with results indicating that unhealthy breathing could have a negative impact on memory, and vice versa, quality breathing could be beneficial for memory.Their findings showed that slow oscillations, spindles, and their interactions increase toward the peak of inhalation peak and, further, that the strength of respiration also plays a role.And given that aging populations are more likely to experience breathing disorders and sleep difficulty, this research could help explain some of the factors at play there, as well.'Sleep-related breathing disturbances are very common in older adults, with the severity of symptoms accelerating with age. Hence, these breathing-related changes closely parallel developmental changes in the precision of SO-spindle coupling,' the study authors write. What to do about it Whether you want to improve your memory or simply sleep more soundly at night, making sure you're breathing properly appears to be a big part of the equation.As study co-author Thomas Schreiner, Ph.D., explains in a news release, 'Our results show that our breathing and the emergence of characteristic slow oscillation and spindle patterns are linked. That is to say, our breathing influences how memories are consolidated during sleep.'So if you're wondering how to breathe better at night, here are our top tips: The takeaway Whether you're 25 or 85, we all need quality sleep; moreover, we need it to retain our most important memories and feel our best. So if there's one aspect of sleep to make sure you're getting right, it's that you can breathe comfortably, deeply, and easily through your nose all night long.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Researchers are working on ‘artificial naps’ that give the benefits of sleep without actual sleepResearchers may have found a way to get the benefits of sleep through artificial naps, but the research is far from complete.
Read more »
This Sleep Factor Matters More Than Actual Sleep Quality, Study SaysAnd it can impact your mood the next day.
Read more »
Eight Sleep adds a pricey blanket and speakers to its Pod 5 sleep systemThe upgraded Pod packs surround-sound speakers that play ‘science-backed audio’ to help you sleep.
Read more »
Eight Sleep Pod 5 A Adds Hydro-Powered Blanket And Sleep SoundsThe Pod 5 system adds a thermal Blanket, a elevating Base that streams sleep sounds and NSDR content, and more holistic health metrics at a hefty price.
Read more »
Eight Sleep launches the AI-powered Pod 5 sleep systemMariella Moon has been a night editor for Engadget since 2013, covering everything from consumer technology and video games to strange little robots that could operate on the human body from the inside one day. She has a special affinity for space, its technologies and its mysteries, though, and has interviewed astronauts for Engadget.
Read more »
Eight Sleep launches the AI-powered Pod 5 sleep systemMariella Moon has been a night editor for Engadget since 2013, covering everything from consumer technology and video games to strange little robots that could operate on the human body from the inside one day. She has a special affinity for space, its technologies and its mysteries, though, and has interviewed astronauts for Engadget.
Read more »