The Sleep “Sweet Spot” for Better Cognition
The ideal amount of sleep for a sharp brain
If you’ve ever gone a few nights with poor sleep, you know the effect it can have on your brain.
Confusion, slow thinking, poor decision-making, moodiness.
But can poor sleep also lead to cognitive decline?
Researchers took a closer look at this connection, and in the process, they identified the ideal amount of sleep for better brain health.
Think of it like your sleep “sweet-spot.”
We know that poor sleep and Alzheimer’s disease both go hand-in-hand with cognitive decline.
But not much research has been done to isolate poor sleepers from those with Alzheimer’s in order to see if sleep alone could impact cognition.
To take a closer look, researchers obtained sleep and Alzheimer’s data on 100 people whose cognitive function had been monitored for about 4.5 years.
Even after adjusting for factors like Alzheimer’s proteins, the APOE4 gene (which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s), and age, they found that the amount of sleep was independently associated with cognitive function.
Surprisingly, both too little sleep—and too much sleep—was associated with cognitive decline.
The sleep sweet spot?
Between 5.5-7.5 hours of sleep
The fact that both shorter and longer sleep durations were associated with cognitive problems indicates that there’s more to the story.
Namely, that sleep quality is as important to cognitive health as sleep quantity.
If you’re waking throughout the night, having trouble falling asleep, or sleeping restlessly, you’re not going to wake up feeling rested.
This is a key indicator that your body isn’t doing the important work of repairing damaged cells while you sleep.
And that can have a negative impact on everything from your brain function to your risk of cancer.
The bottom line here is that the quality of your sleep and the quality of your health go hand-in-hand.
If you’re not sleeping well, it’s time to take steps to improve it.
That doesn’t mean taking a sleeping pill.
It means making lifestyle changes like not eating or drinking close to bedtime, eliminating blue light at night, sleeping in a cool, dark room, and not sleeping with your cell phone next to your bed.
Simple “sleep hygiene” fixes like these can make a world of difference when it comes to both the quality and the quantity of your sleep.
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
Heart Health Begins in Your BRAIN
There are plenty of reasons to add exercise to your regular routine. It naturally… boosts energy levels, improves sleep, aids with weight loss, strengthens bones, reduces blood pressure, improves brain health, reduces stress, and much more. Now, researchers have identified a unique way exercise can reduce heart-related risks—and it begins in your brain. In a […]
The HEALTHIEST Vegetables You Should Eat Daily
Did you know that the American Heart Association recommends eating five servings EACH of fruit and vegetables daily? I don’t know many people who can fit that amount of produce into their daily diet. If you do, great. If not, I have a list of the healthiest vegetables to provide the MOST bang for your […]
Boost Bone Strength WITHOUT Drugs
Have you been talked into getting a bone scan for osteoporosis yet? If you haven’t, it’s coming. But you won’t get that spiel from me. Too often, folks get these scans who don’t need them—and then doctors incorrectly interpret the results. This adds up to countless seniors who’ve been told they have osteoporosis when they […]
Target the TRUE Cause of Dry Eyes
Cases of dry eye syndrome are skyrocketing. Approximately 20 million folks in the USA alone battle the condition. And that number is rapidly growing among young and older adults alike. That means if you’re not already battling dry eyes—and you’re one of the thousands constantly reaching for artificial tears because your body isn’t producing enough […]
Take A STAND Against High Blood Pressure [EASY!]
Often, what you DON’T do is just as important as what you DO for your health. For example, not smoking, not eating processed food, and not exposing yourself to blue light at night will go a long way toward helping you live a longer, healthier life. The same is true for your blood pressure. Research […]
Fall Asleep FAST and Stay Asleep LONGER
If you’re dealing with a sleep problem, chances are good that you’re dealing with lifestyle problems. Insomnia is typically a telltale sign of circadian rhythm disruption (not enough morning sun, too much blue light from TV at night), stress, too much caffeine late in the day, long daytime naps, etc. You get the picture. But […]
Dietary Trigger for IBD REVEALED
Cases of irritable bowel diseases (IBD)—like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—have skyrocketed in recent years… especially in industrialized nations. What is it about our modern society that increases the risk and severity of these inflammatory diseases? Scientists still don’t know the cause, but in my opinion, you don’t need to look any further than the […]
5 NATURAL Supplements to Boost Your Mood
Research has revealed MANY things that can boost your mood, including exercise, sleep, spending time with pets, listening to music, and keeping a gratitude journal. But can a better mood come in a bottle? More specifically, a supplement bottle? Scientists say, “YES!” In fact, research has revealed FIVE natural mood-boosting supplements that are proven to […]
Popular Pain Reliever BAD for Your Heart?!
Last week, I explained that mainstream medicine’s options for pain relief always come with a catch. Today, I will reveal a prime example of that “catch.” It turns out that a common pain reliever that’s supposedly the “best option” for people with heart disease might not be as safe as you’ve been led to believe. […]
Food Sensitivities Trigger Mysterious Symptoms
What do joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, and brain fog all have in common? They can all be caused by food sensitivities. Identifying problem foods—and eliminating them from your diet—can improve chronic symptoms ranging from migraine headaches and joint pain to skin rashes, brain fog, and even fatigue and fibromyalgia. The only problem? Most people—and […]