Name: Mysteries of Sleep
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From fruit flies to whales, virtually every animal sleeps. But why? Why do we need to spend nearly a third of our lives in such a defenseless state? Scientists are peering more deeply into the sleeping brain than ever before, discovering just how powerful sleep can be, playing a role in everything from memory retention and emotional regulation to removing waste from our brains.

Why do we sleep? And what does sleep have to do with memory, trauma, and our emotions?

Mysteries of Sleep Preview

A neurologist uses carefully-timed pulses of noise to boost the size of brain waves responsible for good-quality sleep—and potentially better memory.

Can Sleep Quality and Quantity be Boosted Using Sound?

To measure the brain’s ability to form completely new memories, researchers teach kids made-up words for novel objects.

See how sleep helps children try to learn made-up words.

How Sleep Helps Children Learn and Remember New Words

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Mysteries of Sleep

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From fruit flies to whales, virtually every animal sleeps. But why? Why do we need to spend nearly a third of our lives in such a defenseless state? Scientists are peering more deeply into the sleeping brain than ever before, discovering just how powerful sleep can be, playing a role in everything from memory retention and emotional regulation to removing waste from our brains. So why are we getting so little of it?

Harvard Medical School

Why do we sleep? And what does sleep have to do with memory, trauma, and our emotions?

Body & Brain

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US, US Territories, Canada

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As state-legalized cannabis spreads, NOVA explores its little-known risks and benefits.

The Cannabis Question

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A statue of Zheng He at the Sam Poo Kong Temple in Java, Indonesia. Image Credit: Budianto Santosa, Shutterstock

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Mysteries of Sleep

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Explore More

Poor-quality sleep could prime the brain for an anxious day

Mysteries of Sleep

How Sleep Can Heal Our Brains

How Sleep Helps Children Learn and Remember New Words

Can Sleep Quality and Quantity be Boosted Using Sound?

Blue Computer Light Alone May Not Be Messing With Your Sleep

The Nightmare of Sleep Paralysis

Scientists Track “Social Jet Lag” Sleeping Habits With Twitter Data

Taming the Hidden Drowsiness Epidemic