Sleep

Sleep is a physiological behavior that is common in all animal species. It forms around one third of a human life. It is not known clearly the exact functions of sleep but it seems to be essential for survival as prolonged sleep deprivation leads to severe physical impairment followed by cognitive loss and eventually death.

What is Sleep?

Can too much sleep be dangerous?

How Long Should My Teenager Sleep For?

What is the Role of Melatonin in Sleep Regulation?

The DEC2 Gene and Sleep

Sleep and Yoga

Sleep and Hormones

Role of Sleep in Memory Consolidation

Promoting Sounder Sleep in Older Adults

A Guide to Managing Sleep Disorders

A Guide to Healthy Sleep Positions

Nutritional Effects on Sleep

See more featured articles »

Difference Between Nightmares and Night Terrors

Causes of Sleep Deprivation

Health Effects of Poor Sleep - Quantity and Quality

Why Do We Dream?

What is Sleep Regression?

Importance of Sleep

The Health Risks of Oversleeping

Management of Sleep Deprivation

How Long should my Child Sleep for?

Why Do We Sleep?

Hypnotics and Sleep

Stages of Sleep

How Can Mindfulness Meditation Improve Sleep?

Tips on Getting to Sleep

Regulation of Sleep

REM Sleep Activity

How Does Sleep Affect Your Immunity?

Does Your Alarm Sound Affect Your Mood?

Brain Activity During Sleep

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

What is Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD)?

Ghrelin and Sleep

The Importance of Having a Good Night’s Sleep

Is Daytime Napping in Adults Good or Bad?

Neuroscience of Sleep

Types of Sleep Disorders

Sleep Deprivation - Inadequate Quantity of Sleep

Sleep Onset Mechanics: Understanding the Transition from Wakefulness to Slumber

How to Catch up on Lost Sleep

What Does Polysomnography Involve?

How Can Sleep Affect Men's Health?

Effect of Sleep on Your Emotions

Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Function of Sleep

History of Sleep

Spoon Test for Sleep Deprivation

How Does Pain Affect Your Sleep?

Sleep Hygiene

Stimulants and Sleep

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) Management

Causes of Nocturnal Awakenings

Could Humans Ever Hibernate?

What is the Circadian Rhythm?

Effects of Sleep Deprivation

How Much Sleep do People Need?

Latest Sleep News and Research

Parents of premature babies have poorer sleep quality, study shows

Long sleepless nights and little rest are for many the beginning of parenthood. But how big is the problem really, and how does it affect our health? Gunhild Nordbø Marthinsen has explored this in her doctoral research at the University of Agder.

26 Aug 2025

Genetics and diet work together to shape daily rhythms of fat metabolism

Our bodies follow a natural 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm that influences everything from sleep to metabolism.

25 Aug 2025

Common painkillers ibuprofen and paracetamol found to fuel antibiotic resistance

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are common over-the-counter medications that many of us reach for when we're sick. But new research from the University of South Australia shows that these trusted staples are quietly fuelling one of the world's biggest health threats: antibiotic resistance.

25 Aug 2025

New patient-reported outcome tool offers reliable way to monitor sleep apnea symptoms

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has developed and validated a patient-reported outcome tool for use in a clinical setting to monitor treatment response and longitudinal symptom progression in adults who have obstructive sleep apnea.

25 Aug 2025

The challenges of shift work on diet, sleep, and well-being

Healthcare shift workers face dietary and sleep challenges, leading to burnout and health issues. Effective interventions are crucial for their well-being.

25 Aug 2025

Regular sleep schedule linked to better outcomes after heart failure

People recovering from heart failure should consider improving the regularity of their sleep, a study led by Oregon Health & Science University suggests.

21 Aug 2025

Gut bacteria and insomnia influence each other in small but significant ways, study shows

Scientists used Mendelian randomisation to explore the two-way relationship between gut microbiota and insomnia, analyzing GWAS data from over 386,000 individuals and two major microbiome cohorts. The study found only limited taxa surviving strict correction, suggesting small but causal links that highlight the gut–brain axis in sleep health.

21 Aug 2025

Cardiovascular health declines in older adults with heart conditions

U.S. adults, ages 65 and older, with high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke had significant declines in cardiovascular health, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

20 Aug 2025

Sleep problems in teenagers predict self-harm risk over time

Self-harm in young people is a major public health concern, rates are rising, and the adolescent years presents a critical period of intervention.

20 Aug 2025

Seven blood metabolites associated with excessive daytime sleepiness

Mass General Brigham researchers identified seven molecules in the blood linked to excessive daytime sleepiness, including factors related to diet and hormones.

20 Aug 2025

Review finds coffee linked to longer life and lower disease risk

A new review highlights that coffee consumption is consistently linked to reduced risks of death, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers, while also supporting mental and physical well-being. It also cautions on intake during pregnancy and when sugar or cream are added.

19 Aug 2025

Mediterranean diet success looks different for women and men, study of 4,000 adults reveals

A Mediterranean lifestyle survey of over 4,000 adults across seven countries found that while men and women scored similarly on overall adherence, they achieved this through different patterns of diet, exercise, and well-being. Tailored strategies may be needed to support gender-specific improvements in health behaviors.

18 Aug 2025

FastUKB transforms UK Biobank research with seamless data extraction and analysis

FastUKB is an innovative tool specifically developed to streamline and enhance research workflows utilizing the UK Biobank, effectively addressing key limitations of existing platforms such as the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (RAP).

18 Aug 2025

Irregular sleep patterns linked to higher mortality risk

Researchers in Korea followed over 9,600 adults for 15 years and found that both short and long sleep durations, especially when irregular, were linked to higher risk of death. The study highlights that 7–8 hours of regular sleep may be optimal for longevity.

18 Aug 2025

How circadian biology shapes intestinal regeneration and health

The interplay between the circadian clock, intestinal stem cell niche, and epithelial cell fate is shaping our understanding of how gut homeostasis and cellular regeneration are regulated.

14 Aug 2025

New 2025 guidelines focus on early intervention and lifestyle to manage high blood pressure

Preventing and managing high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as following a heart-healthy diet including reducing salt intake, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress—combined with early treatment with medication to lower blood pressure if necessary—are recommended to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, cognitive decline and dementia, according to a new clinical guideline published today in the American Heart Association's peer-reviewed journals Circulation and Hypertension, and in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

14 Aug 2025