Sleep

sleep, woman, sleeping soundly
(Image credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)

Everyone needs sleep, but many of us don't get enough. Here's the latest news on sleep, including the health effects of getting too little or too much, tips on getting more rest, and the science behind why we slumber.

Latest about Sleep

A woman lying in bed with covers pulled over her. She holds the back of one hand up to her face as if just waking up, and her expression looks tired

Can the menstrual cycle affect people's sleep and dreams?

By Lou Mudge published

Reproductive hormones may interfere with sleep quality and affect dreaming at different stages of the menstrual cycle.

photo of an older man with white hair and a blue shirt sleeping in bed. his mouth is slightly open and a woman can be seen lying near him covering her ears as if he's snoring

Sleep apnea linked to changes in the brain's wiring that may raise risk of dementia, stroke

By Rebecca Sohn published

Sleep apnea and a lack of deep sleep may be linked to abnormalities in the brain's white matter.

middle age white man lies in bed with a bedside lamp turned on on the table beside him. He's looking at an alarm clock that reads 3:08.

Irregular sleep may increase your risk of dying from cancer and heart disease

By Carissa Wong published

Waking and sleeping at inconsistent times may increase the risk of dying from cancer or heart disease death in middle-age and older adults.

A woman working on her laptop in bed yawns because she is so tired.

How long can you go without sleep?

By Donavyn Coffey published

And what can happen to your body if you stay awake way past your bedtime?

photo of a woman in with long, dark hair lying in bed under a large blanket. She holds both hands over her face as if struggling to sleep

Human brain looks years 'older' after just one night without sleep, small study shows

By Rebecca Sohn published

A study suggests that just one night of sleep deprivation may be linked to structural changes in the brain, similar to those seen in aging.

Mother and daughter snuggling on sofa, child is sleeping on mothers lap

What is sleep talking? We look at the science

By Amy Arthur published

Discover the science behind sleep talking, a behavior that over half the general population experiences at some point in their life.

woman drinking a glass of wine at night as she looks at her smartphone

How does alcohol affect sleep?

By Joanne Lewsley published

A nightcap can often make people feel tired, but how does alcohol affect sleep?

Positive blonde middle-aged woman psychologist talking to girl patient.

What is sleep hypnosis and does it really work?

By Lou Mudge published

Sleep hypnosis could be a potential therapy for sleep disorders, but more research is needed.

woman asleep holding a cup of coffee

How does caffeine affect sleep?

By Louise Bond published

It may boost alertness and concentration, but how does caffeine affect sleep?

Illustration of neurons depicted in grey-blue with red light to signify action potentials

Brain cells gone haywire during sleep may lead to chronic pain, mouse study suggests

By Nicoletta Lanese published

A mouse study hints at why chronic pain and poor sleep are linked.

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