A recent study conducted in December by scholars at the University of Alberta uncovered that enhanced oxygen levels contribute to better sleep by facilitating more profound and rejuvenating sleep phases in the brain. The research … Read more
A recent study conducted in December by scholars at the University of Alberta uncovered that enhanced oxygen levels contribute to better sleep by facilitating more profound and rejuvenating sleep phases in the brain. The research involved subjecting animals, regardless of whether they were sleeping naturally or sedated, to raised levels of oxygen and observing their brain functions.
One of the scientists who conducted the study, Brandon Hauer, says that oxygen helps the brain to switch out of active sleep, and remain in a slow-wave deep sleep the entire time. Once the oxygen was removed, the brain started cycling again through other stages of sleep. Slow wave sleep is the deepest stage of sleep, and the time when metabolites are cleared from the body, muscles grow, and protein synthesis occurs. Deep sleep is very important for body and brain recovery. It also aids memory consolidation.
When we are exposed to lower levels of oxygen, our brain remains in the active stage of sleep also known as rapid eye movement. Another interesting fact the researchers have found out in their study is that after the brain remains in REM sleep for a long time, the slow wave stage also extends, as if it now tries to catch up with the missed out slow-wave sleep due to extended REM stage. This study is important because it reveals the potential of oxygen therapy for sleep problems.
Scientists believe that oxygen therapy may help individuals with sleep disorders by enhancing their slow-wave sleep. Further testing is required before this becomes a therapeutic reality.
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