Sleep.

Author:JamesL.

Edit:RyanMin

Facedwith increasinglymore rigorousactivitiesin academics,sports,and socialobligations,the averagehighschool studentsacrificesand disruptsoneessential biologicalrhythmto compensatefortime. Sleep.

Ithasbeenarelevant discussioninthe Californiaeducation system,exploringhow sleepcanbeimproved forhighschool students.Recently, thedistricthas experimentedwitha new“late-start” schedule,pushing backschoolstarttimes byonehour.So,what issleepandwhat makesitsorelevant andessential?

Sleepaccountsfor approximatelyathird ofthe24-hourcycle;it determinesthequality ofbasicfunctions throughouttheday andisasessentialto survivalasfoodand water.Itactsasa maintenancesystemin thebrain,clearingup unwanted,built-up proteinswith cerebrospinalfluid,a clearbodyfluidthat surroundsthebrain andspinalcord. Duringsleep,neurons (braincells)establisha strongerconnection, fortifyingmemories foreasierretrieval.

Theamalgamationof several neuroanatomical structureswithinthe brainworkstogether asamultifactorial process;severalbrain structuresaffectsleep andcanaffectcertain sleepdisorders.For example,the hypothalamusisa “peanut-sized” structuredeepwithin thebrainthatactsasa controlcenter affectingsleeparousal. Withinthe hypothalamusisa massofthousandsof cells,the suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN),which receivesinformation aboutlightexposure. Thisinformationis theninterpretedto determineandcontrol thebehaviorrhythm ofsleep.Individuals withdamagetothe SCNmayhavean inconsistentsleep schedule,unableto matchtheircircadian rhythmwiththelightdarkcycle.

Sleepcanalsobe observedatasmaller scalebyexploringthe rolesofgenesand neurotransmitters. Accordingtothe DivisionofSleep MedicineatHarvard, “genesinfluencehow fastorslowour internalclockruns” (Chang).Itcanalso playasignificantrole inhowmuchsleepis needed,controlling theexcitabilityof neurons.Current knowngenesarePer, tim,andCrygenes, whichaffectthe circadianrhythmand timingofsleep. Overallresearch revealsthat, interestinglyenough, sleeppatternscanbe inherited.

Asurveyof1600 adolescentsinthe UnitedStatesbetween ages13and18 revealedthatteens wereaveraging7.4 hoursofsleepper night;theNational InstituteofHealth recommendsan averageof9.5hours. However,thereare remediestosleep disordersthatcanbe implementedintodaily routinestohelpimprove thequalityandquantity ofsleep.Research suggeststhatacold sleepingenvironment (65degreesF)andmild exposuretolight improvedeepsleep experience,allowingfor abetter-restedbody.

Sleepisprecariousinthe circumstanceofahigh schooler.While academic,physical,and extracurricularactivities areimportantduring thisstageofastudent’s academiccareer,itisalso importanttotonedown andvaluewhatone’s bodysodesperately needs.Ifyoufeelyour eyesclosing,keepthem closed,andsuccumbto sleep it’simportant.

Figure1:thesuprachiasmaticnucleus(SCN)ofthe hypothalamus. Involvedwithreceivinginformation aboutlightexposure,controllingtheregulationofsleep. Imagecreditto:neuroscientificallychallenged.com