Why Sleep Matters:The Hidden Power Behind Rest
Stafaniya Ausiannikava
ABSTRACT
This review article summarizes the fundamental structure of sleep, how each stage takes a major role in regulating effectiveness of human memory and mood. The circadian rhythm, governed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), synchronizes bodily functions with the 24- hour light-dark cycle, while adenosine accumulation creates homeostatic sleep pressure. The glymphatic system, active during deep sleep, clears neurotoxic waste from the brain. Sleep cycles alternate between non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) phases, each supporting distinct neurophysiological functions such as memory consolidation and emotional regulation. Disruption of these processes leads to impaired cognition, mood instability, and metabolic dysfunction
