Memory Retention 

While you sleep, your brain takes all the information from the day, reinforces the important memories, and filters out the unnecessary moments.  It categorizes memories into short-term and long-term storage and prepares you to take in the next day’s information.  Studies have demonstrated that sleep deprivation impairs the brain’s ability to effectively process and organize memories, making learning new things and recalling past moments more challenging.​³​  

Emotion Regulation and Stability 

It’s no secret that poor sleep plays a significant role in emotional reactions, and evidence supports it.  A whole night’s rest allows the brain to process feelings and appropriately respond to the day’s challenges.  During REM sleep, the brain strengthens neural connections linked to emotional experiences and enhances stability.  A lack of sleep can work against emotional stability and even increase the risk of mental health conditions.​^{4, 5}​  Besides maintaining stable emotions, sleep is essential to managing and mitigating stress.  During sleep, the brain regulates cortisol levels and resets the body’s stress response. Insufficient sleep keeps cortisol high and increases the risk of anxiety burnout. 

Energy Restoration 

Nothing’s more rejuvenating than a good night’s sleep — and our brains feel the same way!  During sleep, the brain transitions into a restorative mode to replenish the energy it uses throughout the day, which is crucial to maintaining important cognitive functions.  Sleep deprivation disrupts this process, leading to common symptoms you have probably noticed before, such as poor focus and problem-solving ability.  In fact, research has shown that attention is one of the first cognitive functions to suffer from sleep deprivation, as the brain struggles to stay alert and filter out distractions.​⁶​  Sleep has a similar effect to a drug; the higher the ’dose’(hours of sleep) you get, the better your attention and cognitive ability.  Meanwhile, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to mental fatigue, slow reaction time, and reduced cognitive function.  Whether it’s one night of inadequate sleep or months of it, you may feel everyday tasks become more and more difficult. 

Toxin Removal 

One of the most important processes during sleep is the brain’s natural toxin removal system.  Throughout the day, the brain is constantly working to learn, think, and process, which burns energy and, in turn, generates metabolic byproducts.  These include beta-amyloid and tau proteins — both linked to Alzheimer’s — in addition to free radicals and damaged molecules.⁷  Sleep activates the brain’s natural cleaning system, the glymphatic system, and triggers cerebrospinal fluid, or the fluid surrounding the brain, to wash out these toxins.​⁸​  This process, also known as autophagy, is closely tied to cerebral blood flow, which increases during deep sleep to help distribute nutrients and remove waste efficiently.  When sleep is interrupted, reduced blood flow can hinder this clearance process, allowing harmful substances to accumulate.  Suppose we’re not allowing our brains to clean up every night.  In that case, we’re permitting the buildup of waste products that can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other forms of dementia. 

The Sleep Disorders that Disrupt Brain Function 

For up to 70 million people, poor sleep isn’t just a matter of stress or an ineffective bedtime routine — it’s often an undiagnosed sleep disorder.⁹​  Quality rest is crucial for a healthy brain, but for many people, sleep disorders prevent them from getting the restorative sleep their brains need.  Sadly, the effects of chronic sleep deprivation can be detrimental, as long-term sleep issues have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like dementia .¹⁰  So, what are common sleep disorders, and how are they impacting your brain health? 

Insomnia is the struggle to fall, stay, or get restful sleep, leading to chronic sleep deprivation.  Lack of sleep limits the brain’s ability to remove waste, organize memories, and regulate emotions.  Over time, this can become:​¹¹  

Sleep Apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, resulting in poor oxygen supply to the brain.  The brain depends on steady oxygen and uninterrupted sleep cycles.  Sleep apnea disrupts both, contributing to: 

Restless Leg Syndrome creates an uncontrollable urge to move the legs at night, disrupting sleep quality.  Sleep loss from RLS can lead to: 

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that interrupts the brain’s ability to correctly regulate sleep-wake cycles, causing sudden sleep attacks and muscle weakness.  Narcolepsy interferes with REM sleep, which is vital for learning and emotional stability.  This often results in:​⁴​ 

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders, including sleepwalking, night terrors, and REM sleep behavior disorder, where the brain struggles to transition between sleep stages properly.  Parasomnias can cause:​¹⁵​ 

How Do I Know If I Have a Sleep Disorder? 

Sleep disorders often go undiagnosed, but warning signs and symptoms like persistent fatigue, trouble sleeping, loud snoring, or unusual nighttime behaviors shouldn’t be ignored.  If these symptoms sound familiar, meeting with a doctor or sleep specialist can help you find answers and protect your brain health. 

Add RELEVATE to Your Bedtime Ritual 

The proper nutrients are essential to building better brain and sleep health.  RELEVATE was designed with key neuroprotective ingredients sourced from brain-healthy food groups, like those found in the Mediterranean and MIND diet.  Studies have shown that this type of diet is conducive to better sleep, and recent research even suggests it may assist in managing sleep disorders and associated health risks .¹⁶  By filling nutritional gaps with these brain-boosting nutrients, RELEVATE promotes cognitive function and encourages your best rest.  Nearly half of our users report improved sleep quality after incorporating RELEVATE into their daily routine!​¹⁷​ 

We’re offering a sleep-focused bundle for a limited time to help you achieve the rest you’ve missed.  This exclusive offer includes: 

Learn more and order by visiting here.