How much sleep do we need and how much is 'bad for your brain'
16.03.2022 - 23:11
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Most adults require between six and nine hours of sleep each night, according to NHS guidance.
Many assume the 'eight hours a night' rule is the best one to stick by but recent studies have suggested that this may not be the case.
The research revealed that some adults may actually require as little as four hours or sleep per night in order to wake up feeling refreshed.
The study, published in the Brain journal, found that too much sleep may actually interfere with cognitive function.
Experts in Washington, USA, suggested that those who sleep for less than 4.5 hours per night as well as people who sleep for more than 6.5 hours each night were at greater risk of cognitive decline over time.
However, it is important to note that all participants struggled with poor sleep quality.
Researchers also found that the impact of sleep duration on the brain was similar to that of ageing - which is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to developing conditions including Alzheimer's in later life.
The study concluded that sleeping between 4.5 and 6.5 hours each night is ideal for the average adult.
Writing in The Conversation, senior lecturer in psychology Greg Elder said researchers are not yet certain on why the reason why the lack of sleep was linked to cognitive decline.
He said: "One theory is that sleep helps our brain flush out harmful proteins that build up during the day.
"So interfering with sleep might interfere with our brain’s ability to get rid of these.
"Experimental evidence even supports this – showing that even just one night of sleep deprivation temporarily increases beta-amyloid levels in the brain of healthy people."
The expert also explained that the findings came as a surprise as most health bodies -