By John Grewal
Everyone knows that sleep is important to our health. After all, when someone does not get enough sleep, they are sluggish the next day and may even lash out at others. There is a science behind sleep that dictates why people need the best mattresses available, including adjustable beds.
The quantity and quality of sleep have a deep impact on learning and memory. It helps this in two ways. A sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention optimally and will not be able to learn efficiently. It also consolidates memory that is required in order to learn new information.
The exact way sleep affects learning and memory is somewhat unknown. However, these qualities are described in three functions. Acquisition if the introduction of new information in the brain. Consolidation is the processes where memory becomes stable. Recall is the ability to access information, consciously or unconsciously, after the information has been stored.
These three functions are necessary in order for memory to work. Acquisition and recall will only occur during wakefulness, or else students would sleep with a textbook open on their faces. However, memory consolidation occurs during sleep with the strengthening of neural connections that form memories.
Specific characteristics of brainwaves during the various stages of sleep can be associated with the formation of memory. Researchers have looked at the different stages and the changes in their duration in response to learning new tasks. They also study the second approach about how sleep deprivation effects learning.
A lack of sleep has an impact on learning and memory. People who are sleep deprived have less focus and attention. This makes it difficult to receive information. A lack of adequate sleep and rest makes the neurons overworked to the point they can no longer function to coordinate information properly. The ability to process previously learned information is lost.
The interpretation of events are affected with sleep deprivation. The ability to make sound decisions is lost because people can no longer accurately assess situations, plan accordingly, and choose correct behavior. Sleep deprivation becomes impaired.
When people are tired so often they are constantly on the point of fatigue means they will not perform as well. Neurons do not fire optimally, muscles are not rested, and the organ systems do not synchronize. All of this inhibits physical health as well as mental health. Lapses in focus from sleep deprivation can result in accidents or injury.
Sleep and memory has been associated in rapid eye movement sleep, or REM sleep. This is the stage of sleep where dreaming occurs more frequently. REM sleep is involved in declarative memory processes with complex and emotionally charged information. REM sleep also plays a critical role in consolidation of procedural memory. This is the remembering of how to do something, like playing the guitar.
Slow wave sleep, or SWS, is a deep restorative sleep that plays a bigger role in declarative memory. This is accomplished by processing and consolidating newly acquired information. Motor learning depends on the amount of lighter stages of sleep. Certain types of visual learning depend on the amount and timing of both SWS and REM sleep.
Low quality sleep and its deprivation will negatively impact mood. This has consequences for learning. Mood alterations will affect the ability to acquire new information and remember that information. A good night's sleep has strong impact on learning and memory.
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