Running head; SLEEP, BODY AND MIND

Sleep, body and mind.

Margarita Thomas
Salt Lake Community College, PSY 1010, Campbell

SLEEP, BODY AND MIND

What happens to the brain when one sleeps? Everyone must sleep, but it may not be clear
how important sleep is? This paper it is intended to explain how the sleep cycle works, the
consequences of having a healthy sleep pattern and also of what happens to ones mind and body
when there is disturbances in the sleep cycle.
The Sleep Cycle
The cycle of sleep and waking is called circadian rhythm, and it occurs over 24 hours.
(Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., & Wegner, D. M.,2009, p. 193). Being asleep is not a passive
action. To the contrary, when ones eyes close and sleeps comes there are different phases of
sleep that can be observed. These different phases emit diverse waves or frequencies of electrical
activity. These diverse frequencies can be observed by observation of a sleeping person while
connected to an EEG (electroencephalogram) machine.
While awake, the brain produces high-frequency beta waves, which change to alpha
waves when one is becoming drowsy or relaxed. Alpha waves are lower frequency waves. Stage
one of sleep produces lower-frequency theta waves, stage two produces the same waves as stage
one accompanied by irregular patterns called spindles and K complexes. Stage three and four
make the lowest frequency waves called delta waves. Last is REM sleep with higher-frequency
waves called sawtooth waves that are similar to the beta waves that the brain emits while awake.
(Schacter et. al., 2009, p.194) This is the stage where dreaming happens, and as stated earlier, the
brain shows the same waves when we are awake. REM stage is not a very restful phase; the brain
is very active in this stage of sleep. We can know if someone is in REM sleep because eyes move
rapidly during this phase. Why people dream, is not very clear. These stages repeat themselves
with stages 3 and 4 disappearing around the middle of the night. (Schacter et. al., 2009, p.195)

SLEEP, BODY AND MIND

Sleep, Mind, Body and Health

Modern research shows that sleep does not only helps the mind, but also the body. Sleep
gives new energy to the cells of the body, helps eliminate waste from the brain, and has a major
role in learning and memory. Therefore, one should go ahead and sleep (but, also one should
ensure to study well prior to restful sleep). Sleep even plays a vital role in regulating mood,
appetite and libido. (What Happens in the Brain During Sleep?)
When one doesnt get enough sleep, one wont feel fresh in the morning, and not only
that, the brain cant function at its full potential with not enough sleep. With limited sleep mood
lability occurs, along with decreased energy levels and even euphoric bursts can be observed.
(Kyle, 2016)
Altering the sleep cycle alters the secretion of certain hormones that are secreted while
one sleeps. The Human Growth Hormone peaks during sleep hours, which affect growth and also
cell-repair. (Kyle, 2016). In fact, there is a relationship between lack of sleep and cancer. At a
research study, conducted in 2003 by researchers at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard
Medical School in Boston, a correlation was found between low levels of melatonin, a hormone
that helps to induce sleep, and the risk of breast cancer. Apparently, when melatonin levels
decrease, estrogen levels increase and increased estrogen is a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Other studies, the same year, linked men that had moderate sleep problems to be twice at risk for
prostate cancer and tree times more at risk if severe sleep problems were reported.(Cohen, 2015)
Poor sleep takes its toll in the metabolism. Lack of sleep alters the hormones that regulate
appetite, meaning that when the brain is sleep deprived it sends signals that it is starving and
craves for food and the metabolism of glucose is also affected. (What Happens in the Brain

SLEEP, BODY AND MIND

During Sleep?). Being sleep deprived can resemble insulin resistance, a precursor of diabetes.
Insulin helps the body get energy from glucose. With insulin resistance, the cells of the body
cant use insulin properly resulting in high blood sugar and if too high it can damage eyes, heart,
kidneys and nerves. (Mann, 2010)
Application
What is known about the negative consequences of poor sleep I can easily apply to my
own experiences with inadequate rest. I suffered several years of off and on sleep deprivation
while attending nursing school and maintaining full time employment. During this period some
of the only time I had to study was late into the night. I often felt what I know now is the labile
mood. While in this mood I often felt Id rather be in jail, than doing this anymore, at least, in
jail, they can sleep every day! At the time this this seemed like a rational thought and I felt
serious about it; pretty crazy, but true. As a nurse, working nights, I identify myself with the side
effects explained in this paper. While sleep deprived, I often crave either fried foods or sweets,
thus when I work nights I have to exercise extra self-control to avoid consequent weight gain. At
other times I find it difficult to concentrate while I am charting, often losing my train of thought.
And finally, I recognize my euphoric outbursts when the morning comes, due to the lack of
sleep.
Conclusion
Some dont take seriously the fact that human bodies and minds need sleep to repair
themselves. This paper helped me realize what happens when one sleeps and how serious the
consequences of lack of sleep are. Lack of sleep affects learning, memory, and also ones
physical health. From not feeling refreshed to a radical increase in ones risk of cancer. I would

SLEEP, BODY AND MIND

like to know if after a life of poor sleep, there is a way to reverse the damage done to the mind
and the body. I think others could benefit from this paper because it increases awareness about
how important sleep is for overall health. My feelings about this paper are of impending doom
due to my unhealthy sleeping habits (night shifts, stay up late, go to bed at different hours). I am
also glad to know these facts, and hopefully make a plan to be able to rest enough every night
(sometimes day).

References

SLEEP, BODY AND MIND

Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., & Wegner, D. M. (2009). Psychology. New York: Worth.
What Happens in the Brain During Sleep? Retrieved October16, 2016, from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-happens-in-the-brain-during-sleep1/
Kyle, S., Dr. (n.d.). What happens if a person does not sleep?. Retrieved October 16, 2016,
https://www.sleepio.com/articles/sleep-science/what-happens-if-a-person-does-notsleep/
Cohen, M. B. (2014). The Dangerous Link Between (Lack of) Sleep and Cancer. Retrieved
October 16, 2016, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/eric-cohen-breathewell-sleep-well/dangerous-link-between-lack-of-sleep-cancer/
Mann, D. (2010). The Link Between Sleep and Diabetes. Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/diabetes-lack-of-sleep#1