Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep

It is believed that sleep gives neurons a chance to repair themselves and that without sleep neurons may begin to malfunction. Sleep also may give the brain a chance to exercise important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate from lack of activity. Sleep may also help people attain optimal emotional and social functioning while they are awake. Sleep may also aide in learning and encoding memory. Sleep may also help the body conserve energy and resources the body needs to help the immune system when one is getting sick.   Read article