Consistently getting a good night’s sleep can have a profoundly powerful effect in improving our health and reducing our risk of deadly diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Good sleep also greatly improves learning and memory and other brain functions.

In a state of extreme sleep deprivation, the dream state can impinge upon the waking state, and the two states of consciousness can merge, resulting in hallucinations. Perhaps this might explain how psychosis might arise as a result of sleep deprivation.

It’s not just the time spent in bed that’s important. Sleep quality, whether we sleep soundly or we’re waking up a lot is also important, as is the timing and the regularity of our sleep. All these aspects of sleep play a role in determining its benefits.

As people get older, many suffer cognitive decline that may eventually result in Alzheimer’s. Sleep quality also often worsens as people age. Could worsening sleep quality be a factor in causing cognitive decline? The answer appears to be yes it could be.

Sleep is a biological process that is vital for humans and for all other animal species as well. Sleep restores the health and well-being of both the mind and the body more so than any other single factor. We all can feel this after a good night’s sleep.