CHICAGO - Gentle sound stimulation, such as the sound of a waterfall synchronized with the rhythm of brain waves, significantly improved deep sleep in older adults and improved their ability to remember words, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. Caffeine is a stimulant that can make it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. It can also reduce the amount of deep sleep you get. One study found that consuming caffeine seven hours before bedtime reduced the amount of sleep received in one hour.
Instead, consume water, tea, and other decaf beverages. Certain beverages, such as warm milk and chamomile, can help induce sleep. Researchers have developed a portable device that reproduces specific sounds to improve deep sleep. The first clinical study has shown that the device is effective, but it does not have the same level of effectiveness for everyone.
Slow-wave sleep, also called deep sleep, is an important stage in the sleep cycle that allows the brain and memory to function properly. While most adults know that they should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, the science of sleep is quite complex. The recommendation for most adults is to sleep 7 or more hours, which will usually give the body enough time in the deepest states of sleep. Although all stages of sleep are necessary, deep sleep is especially important for brain health and function.
Deep sleep is important for brain regeneration and memory, and it also has a positive influence on the cardiovascular system. When auditory stimulation began during wakefulness, before sleep, and continued for the first 90 minutes of sleep, it significantly delayed the onset of sleep. They used the device every night for a total of four weeks, with the auditory stimulation administered every night for two weeks and without stimulation for the next two weeks. What makes the solution unique is that the person sleeping is not aware of this sound during deep sleep.
