Sleep is a crucial physiological process that gives the body the opportunity to fully rest and rejuvenate itself. Humans spend around a third of their lives sleeping and yet many of us still fail to regularly catch those precious winks. Sleep deficiency can cause an array of physical and mental health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and depression. Discover what happens in the brain while you sleep, why some people need less sleep than others, whether white noise can help you sleep better and more in our latest articles below.
Discover more about sleep
—Sleep: Facts about how and why we sleep
Latest about Sleep
Sleep: Facts about how and why we sleep
Learn facts about sleep, during which the body rests, recuperates and performs essential repairs.
Rare genetic mutation lets some people thrive on just 4 hours of shut-eye
A newly identified mutation helps super-sleepers get by on just four to six hours of shut-eye per night, while the rest of us need around eight hours. Researchers described the SIK3-N783Y mutation in a new study after testing it on sleep-deprived inbred mice.
Why do we get a 'second wind' of energy at the end of the day?
That second wave of energy is a normal part of the human circadian rhythm, but lifestyle factors also play a role.
Science of sleep quiz: How much do you know about sleep and dreams?
Test your knowledge of how sleeping and dreaming work.
Early study reveals why sleeping pills may not supply the best-quality snooze
A new study in mice suggests that sleeping pills may impede the brain's ability to "cleanse" itself during sleep.
'Love hormone' oxytocin may be missing link between sleep apnea and high blood pressure
Scientists found that two brain-made chemicals, including oxytocin, may play a role in increasing blood pressure after repeated periods of low oxygen.
Does the brain flush out toxins while you sleep?
As we sleep, the brain rids itself of waste built up throughout the day. But how?
