Sleep

sleep, woman, sleeping soundly
(Image credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)

Everyone needs sleep, but many of us don't get enough. Here's the latest news on sleep, including the health effects of getting too little or too much, tips on getting more rest, and the science behind why we slumber.

Latest about Sleep

close-up photo of dark red melatonin gummies spilling out of a plastic jar onto a table

Kids' use of melatonin 'exceedingly common,' Colorado study finds

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Researchers have raised concerns about the high number of kids and preteens consistently taking melatonin, because the long-term safety of the sleep aid has not been well-studied.

Sleep
young woman sits at a desk surrounded by books and a laptop. She has her head laid down on the desk as she reads something on the laptop

Night owl or early bird? How your 'chronotype' influences cognition

By Cindi May published

Your brain has an internal clock that influences how your mind functions over the course of a day.

Sleep
A woman in bed reaching over to her phone on a bedside table in order to turn off an alarm

Hitting 'snooze' can boost morning cognition, study hints

By Emily Cooke published

Did you hit "snooze" this morning? You're not alone, and the extra sleep may improve your brain function after getting up, a study suggests.

Sleep
Woman resting in a hammock in a summer garden covering her face with a straw hat.

'Power naps' improve memory and lower heart disease risk, but long naps can have drawbacks

By Steven Bender published

Short naps at the right time of day can boost focus, help solidify memories and potentially improve heart health.

Sleep
A woman lying in bed with covers pulled over her. She holds the back of one hand up to her face as if just waking up, and her expression looks tired

Can the menstrual cycle affect people's sleep and dreams?

By Lou Mudge published

Reproductive hormones may interfere with sleep quality and affect dreaming at different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Sleep
photo of an older man with white hair and a blue shirt sleeping in bed. his mouth is slightly open and a woman can be seen lying near him covering her ears as if he's snoring

Sleep apnea linked to changes in the brain's wiring that may raise risk of dementia, stroke

By Rebecca Sohn published

Sleep apnea and a lack of deep sleep may be linked to abnormalities in the brain's white matter.

Sleep
middle age white man lies in bed with a bedside lamp turned on on the table beside him. He's looking at an alarm clock that reads 3:08.

Irregular sleep may increase your risk of dying from cancer and heart disease

By Carissa Wong published

Waking and sleeping at inconsistent times may increase the risk of dying from cancer or heart disease death in middle-age and older adults.

Sleep
A woman working on her laptop in bed yawns because she is so tired.

How long can you go without sleep?

By Donavyn Coffey published

And what can happen to your body if you stay awake way past your bedtime?

Sleep
photo of a woman in with long, dark hair lying in bed under a large blanket. She holds both hands over her face as if struggling to sleep

Human brain looks years 'older' after just one night without sleep, small study shows

By Rebecca Sohn published

A study suggests that just one night of sleep deprivation may be linked to structural changes in the brain, similar to those seen in aging.

Sleep
Mother and daughter snuggling on sofa, child is sleeping on mothers lap

What is sleep talking? We look at the science

By Amy Arthur published

Discover the science behind sleep talking, a behavior that over half the general population experiences at some point in their life.

Sleep
123456789Archives