MadSci Network: General Biology
Query:

Re: Why do humans NEED to sleep?

Date: Fri Oct 19 18:57:14 2001
Posted By: Jim Bridger, Faculty, Biology, Prince Georges Community College
Area of science: General Biology
ID: 1002152502.Gb
Message:

Andrew:  Like so many questions that seem simple on their surface, your 
question is really very complex.  Scientists only have theories about our 
need for sleep.  We say that it is restorative, in that the body needs to 
rest in order to get rid of metabolic wastes (lactic acid, etc) and to 
allow for the brain to rest and plan the future.  The science of sleep is 
in its infancy and the stages of sleep have only been cataloged for a 
relatively short time.  We know that it is needed and that merely resting 
is not the same as sleeping.  We know that too little sleep causes certain 
physiological changes such as irritability and then disorientation and then 
hallucinations.  Just why this is, is not clear.  A really good web site 
that may help you with the subject is at UCLA's sleep center.  It is  http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/sleepsyllabus/intro.html  It also cites 
several journal articles that may be of help.  J. Bridger


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