From an evolutionary standpoint.. needing sleep looks counter intuitive.. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. You should also consider looking for your question in the FAQ. It is literally our bodies time to recharge. For now, the only absolutely concrete reason they can give is.... "because we get tired". Although the amount of sleep you get each day is important, other aspects of your sleep also contribute to your health and well-being. [–]QuentinTNO 3 points4 points5 points 7 years ago (1 child). Btw. By Ed Vanstone. Why do we dream? Sleep is an essential function1 that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up. My homeboys got my back, I was with them all last night, go ahead and ask! [–]jayman419 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago* (0 children). EDIT: As an offhand remark, why did you yell at me about failing to understand "IMAGINE IF WE DIDN'T KNOW" and then yell at me a second time because I played along, but didn't explain everything that we imaginably knew about the fake situation you created? You can't. In at least one study I've seen no anatomical differences were found in those that died from sleep deprivation other than cognitive impairment. why do we get tired and are there animals that don't sleep? How do we gain energy from it if there is no input of energy? I don't care enough to waste more energy on you who doesn't understand what I'm talking about and yes I could spend lots of time to clarify myself, but I decide not to, because it has basically no value to do so. Latest. And it does nothing to address dreaming. So part of it is to help brain development, learning, and rest the brain. We understand some of the mechanics of sleep. However, that is only half the picture. I know it's hard enough just keeping the Cheetos dust off your tits. I find this is quite a strange behaviour. Some people need more sleep than others, and a new study has found that our personal sleep requirements may be down to our genes. Why insomnia affects your mental health. Their nightly length of sleep tends to be 10 to 12 hours. There is some new evidence that during sleep physiological recovery happens where the brain is cleaned of debris (proteins) that builds up between cells. Sacrificing shuteye can lead to increased productivity. Good sleep quality is also essential. This subreddit is for asking for objective explanations. You're doing us all a favor if you stop with your drivel, because your useless contributions are taking up valuable space in someone's head that could be filled with actual information. Feel free to "refuse" to continue being mistaken. Dreams have been a mystery for as long we have recorded history. Two things I've taken away from your comment. [–]YUNOHAVENICK -2 points-1 points0 points 7 years ago (9 children), Wrong. Sorry if you think I'm caring enough to sit here and wirte something in capital because I'm in stupidity-rage. Health. Hence you have to sleep so that your body can carry out the trash. Do I need a box spring? Psychology. To be honest, if you were capable of making an intelligent point, any intelligent point, you'd find me possessed of an entirely different demeanor. The Surprising Health Benefits of Sleeping On a Hard Floor | Men’s … So while it's not quite established what sleep is doing for your brain, it appears to be quite an essential function for the long term. [–]Sporkal_Vork 1 point2 points3 points 7 years ago (0 children). “Sleep probably has many functions,” he says, just as the weekend is variously for shopping, socializing, and cleaning the house. We prove things by having good guesses of whats going on and eliminating alternatives. You didn't use capital letters to point out something I missed. Mathematics Economics It is a life-long pattern of needing a lot of sleep. "We don't know yet, research is on-going, and maybe someday we'll have more information. Biology I get very sleepy, and I am sure I am not alone in this, after a day of intense physical activity. He didn't say this in the dark ages. Much more so then on any given day without the activity. Hours before you responded, that's what those little numbers right before "ago" mean. So can you train yourself to need less sleep, and is it healthy? I mean.. being unconscious for about a third of a day seems quite dangerous. Using the day to hunt and sustain with less worry was more helpful to us than constantly competing with death. It’s not like we are gaining any energy by sleeping so why do we feel tired and need to sleep? [–]jayman419 60Answer Link5 points6 points7 points 7 years ago (12 children). So I went back a few minutes after I'd posted to add that in. 2) And the second is that you have a very, very thin grasp on what the difference between a couple of unrelated studies and true, scientific understanding of a subject. There is solid, evidentary research proving how these systems work, and how they work together, to reasonably define "obesity" as a scientific reality. At one point in time, all of these were put forth as the be-all, end-all reason for sleep, and all of them are less than complete answers, at best. [–]Stretch5701 20Answer Link1 point2 points3 points 7 years ago (1 child). This is straight from the article /u/r0ughneck_scout posted: Nor are other researchers certain that cleansing is sleep’s sole core function. So, you’re not lazy after all — it’s your DNA’s fault. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. [–]r0ughneck_scout 60Answer Link5 points6 points7 points 7 years ago (2 children). Fuck whoever downvoted me. We have no frickin' idea. So the only reason you missed that part is because you're reading comprehension is as poor as your manners. But research is ongoing, maybe we'll know at some point. We do get energy from it. However, that is only half the picture. And yes, "We get fat because we eat" was enough if nothing else was known, but if you know more you should say more. More posts from the explainlikeimfive community. Many of our predators were nocturnal. So you'll keep dancing around the subject in the hopes that you'll eventually stumble upon something that sounds sensible. For that to happen the glial cells contract and expand. Did you know: Skipping 1 night's sleep makes a person cranky and clumsy. We eat to get energy. But scientists do understand some of sleep's critical This sleep is very normal and of a good quality. It's a lot easier to deal with the morning when you're feeling refreshed, and you may even find you don't need an alarm at all when your body gets adequate rest. [–]QuentinTNO 3 points4 points5 points 7 years ago (0 children). You should be sleeping more than eight hours a night. We could gave evolved to function differently, but we didn't, so why? Like a big frivolous party where the cleaning ladies have to wait for the party to end before they start cleaning. You can't explain what I missed because there isn't anything I missed. Exactly how this happens and why our bodies are programmed for such a long period of slumber is still somewhat of a mystery. The process helps to remove the molecular detritus that brain cells churn out as part of their natural activity, along with toxic proteins that can lead to dementia when they build up in the brain, the researchers say. Press J to jump to the feed. Instead we put ourselves on a bed in a dedicated room, cuddle and then pass out for a few hours – totally defenseless. But frankly, it doesn't matter what we're pretending like we don't understand, whether it's some imaginary situation you created or the very real situation of why we sleep... we can't give a complete answer about it, because we don't understand it. Research is ongoing. It is more then just the buildup and flushing out of unwanted proteins, however. The part that has always bothered me is why we evolved to need sleep. [–]YUNOHAVENICK 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (5 children). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Insects after metamorphosis, for instance - some never sleep, eat or drink as all they have time for is mating. Why We Sleep . [–]YUNOHAVENICK 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (1 child). But in the meantime, we get fat because we eat too much." [–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (0 children). Someone could have just taken my blood somehow and put it there. Why Do I Sleep So Much: Final Word. [–]derpityderps 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (0 children). It was a couple of years ago... 2010 or 2011, I can't remember off-hand. The disorder begins in childhood. [–]kimchi_station 10Answer Link0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (0 children), Look that 5 year old in the eye and tell him the truth "I have no idea.". I am very honest to myself and I only talk about things when I'm very sure that I know enough to actually argue in that area, so trust me, my point is not wrong. I have heard/read that the only real answer to why we need to sleep is because we feel tired. Russell Foster is a circadian neuroscientist: He studies the Sleep doesn't always work like with humans, but generally not sleeping means you either. Here's What You Should Do … These are, of course, just theories. How proper sleep will help us live longer, healthier, more creative lives. The reason I don't understand what you're talking about is because what you're talking about doesn't make sense. We've identified some of the key players, and some of the processes. There is also evidence to support that it's crucial to forming new memories as well as having implications for creativity and other functions but the real answer is we don't know. It is theorized that that may be the case. What’s wrong with having a mattress on the floor?” HA! Perform a keyword search, you may find good explanations in past threads. Some people are startled by them, others are embarrassed. Don't Panic! You did it to try to be loud, because you thought you had some advantage. It's not quite as definitive as he made it sound, though it is a step closer to understanding the process. Five reasons why we need to sleep more. It's not merely "we are tired", it's already "because without it the chemical waste in our brains will make us sick (in what ever way)" - and that is why I said he's wrong. So I'll do it for you. This is of course not very helpful. So evolving a mechanism to take advantage of our otherwise useless time was beneficial. No one function of sleep necessarily rules them all, says sleep scientist Derk-Jan Dijk of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. Which leads to another theory... that the brain uses that time to reorganize our memories. Why can our body not do what it does while we're awake? Isn't the true answer: we don't really know? I know what you’re thinking. REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc. π Rendered by PID 5231 on r2-app-0484e4db255568899 at 2021-01-06 10:32:42.841700+00:00 running 15b6a67 country code: US. Maybe someday we'll have a clear-cut answer but that time is not now. [–]YUNOHAVENICK 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (0 children). There is evidence, like /u/crystal64 and /u/r0ughneck_scout said that it's when the brain does housekeeping. Here’s why … So in this case, for someone who is simply curious about the mechanics of sleep, the best, the most honest answer we can give him, is that it's poorly understood by science and (despite a myriad of theories) we simply don't know. ELI5, why is it that we can’t sleep when we are excited or anxious about something the next day? I'm just giving OP the honest answer. While energy is readily available now, there were many times where we had to fight for every calorie. A faster burning fire produces more soot. To understand why chronic exposure to light at night is so bad, we need to consider human evolution. The part that has always bothered me is why we evolved to need sleep. But to point to a reason and say "Eureka! Third was predation. It's just lazy and you can argue as much as you want, it is still lazy, [–]jayman419 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago* (4 children). StefaNikolic/E+/Getty ... it can become impossible to fall asleep or wake up when we need to. Same applies to "We sleep because we are tired" - it would be enough if we dont know more, but we do, so we should point that out. © 2021 reddit inc. All rights reserved. “I’ve already bought a mattress, why do I need a box spring?” That can be quite irritating, I fully understand. As we get older, because our bodies can't do as much stuff anymore (illness, age, arthritus etc) we expend less energy so need less sleep. PDF | On Jan 26, 2018, Seithikurippu R. Pandi-Perumal published Why If you want to be fussy you can never actually prove anything. They cant do that while you are awake, well maybe they could but it would probably not go very well since they handle a substantial amount of cognition during your waking hours too. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. ELI5: How does software like WinZip actually compresses files and how does the bytes of data "disappear" during "zipping" and "reappear" during "unzipping"? After missing 2 nights of sleep, a person will have problems thinking and doing things; his or her brain and body can't do … ELI5 What's happening when your body is dead tired but your mind is like a toddler on a sugar high? We do get energy from it. Explain Like I'm Five is the best forum and archive on the internet for layperson-friendly explanations. Eli5: Why do we puke when we *see* something disgusting, although there's no sign it has actually entered or interfered with our body? I didn't see the point in playing "what if" with you, but after I thought about it a little bit more, I decided there was a way to address it... by looking at the historical context of our knowledge about obesity. Some kids might need more and some need less. Humans spend nearly a third of their lives asleep. A few people have pointed out why we need sleep now, and they are absolutely true. And when you quoted another poster in the same thread, I addressed that information as well. We tend to think of sleep as a time when the mind and body shut down. With our current biology, we could not live without regular sleep. But this is not the case; sleep is an active period in which a lot of important processing, restoration, and strengthening occurs. But when it comes to sleep, don't take my word for it. It's a very effective balance between color and detail sensitivity. Let us know what you think! Reddit is for discussions. At night, we would group together in a fortified or secluded location to geographically protect ourselves while we slept. You not getting what I mean is no offense to you neither, but it simply shows that I would have to spend energy to explain it and I simply refuse to do so. I'm just saying that we already have information which highly relates to what happens when we sleep and thus why we do it. But once you do get on a regular sleep schedule and maintain a well-rested baseline, waking up becomes much less challenging. E is for Explain - merely answering a question is not enough. Going without sleep will literally make you psychotic and, eventually, kill you. Healthy sleep also helps the body remain healthy and stave off diseases. Sleep is an essential function1 that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up. Chemistry Physics The best answer I've heard has to do … Rendered by PID 5231 on r2-app-0484e4db255568899 at 2021-01-06 10:32:42.841700+00:00 running 15b6a67 country code: US. Sleep for kids teaches kids the importance of sleep. As we give up our bodies to sleep, sudden twitches escape our brains, causing our arms and legs to jerk. Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? We Asked a Sleep Neuroscientist. This does not really answeres the question.It says what sleep does.. it does not say why we need it in the first place.. so why we are not refreshed and alert if we do not sleep. We're starting to discover the mechanics of psychophysical disorders like binge eating or the opposites like anorexia and body dysmorphic disorder. So the short version of all of that... they just don't know yet. Through a series of experiments on mice, the researchers showed that during sleep, cerebral spinal fluid is pumped around the brain, and flushes out waste products like a biological dishwasher. But I didn't miss your hypothetical game. It is not a repository for any question you may have. It is simply much longer than most people need. I don't feel the need to end everything, if you'd bothered to read any of my history instead of just spilling ranch dressing on your lap, you'd see that. [–]Hypertroph 20Answer Link1 point2 points3 points 7 years ago (0 children). I did, in fact, address your situation. What do they mean? we're simply not there yet. Technology Engineering. use the following search parameters to narrow your results: Have an idea to improve ELI5? My answer was concise, correct, and thoroughly appropriate. As for "explaining what you thought I missed" ... you don't have to waste any energy on that at all. And they say it's one reason we need to sleep, and that the increased interstitial space may be a consequence of the enhanced removal of potentially neurotoxic waste products. There is evidence for the process described by crystal64, [–]CanISeeYourGuitar 2 points3 points4 points 7 years ago (1 child). live a short enough life that you don't have time for it. We could gave evolved to function differently, but we didn't, so why? By Claire Maldarelli. Seriously... that's the only answer that scientists have solid, concrete evidence to support. Some do take a nap in between tasks to help restore their low energy levels, but it’s never enough it seems to recoup the insufficient sleep that we get every night. Here's Why You Always Sleep Through Your Alarm. Some animals reduce the risks with unihemispheric sleep, where the brain divides itself into a tag-team, one sleeping and one awake to look for threats. Or is it just for the brain? To keep your mind and body healthy, get some shut eye. So here's a question.. Is feeling tired related to a buildup of the toxins your body rids it's self of during sleep? You can't prove I did it! First, running on full around the clock is expensive. More Health. It's clear that shut-eye is crucial to the body's ability to function. Perhaps exercising produces more of these toxins? Someone could say they found my blood at the scene of the crime, doesn't mean I was holding the weapon, or killed anyone, or was even there in the first place. A half dozen people found it helpful enough. I just think "because we get tired" is a lazy answer for people who don't know the more specific facts. It is literally our bodies time to recharge. I read the same University of Rochester study that he did. What are the reasons why we need sleep-allows people to recharge, allow brain to recover from exhaustion and stress-rebuild immune system, restore muscles, and repairs cells -clears out mind of useless information-may play a role in memory and learning (mental housekeeping) State of … And if we were writing this on sheepskin in the 18th century, my answer would remain the same. Watch now. My mattress was on a metal frame. ELI5: why does pizza shop shredded mozzarella have better flavor and melt smoother than grocery store shredded mozzarella? But the question, unless I'm gravely mistaken was why do we sleep ... and guess what, buttercup. He's not wrong, he's saying it's the only answer they can give as a solid fact. Sure, the neurotoxin idea has come up since then, but if you actually read what they've written, they freely admit that it's just one incremental step closer to the answer, rather than the answer itself. Sleep helps our body and brain develop and grow. Is a box spring necessary? [–]lobsang_ludd 30Answer Link2 points3 points4 points 7 years ago (1 child), On the question of other animals: kinda yes, kinda no. A long sleeper’s main complaint is that there is not enough time during the day to be awake. ELI5 Why if I simply thump my man in the testicles it will make him double over in pain, but during intercourse they take a pounding and it’s fine? r/IdeasForELI5. These are some of the most common questions people ask after getting a new mattress. Overall, the predominant factor is the circadian rhythm thing but the activity levels do play a role. Signs of poor sleep quality include not feeling rested even after getting enough sleep, repeatedly waking up during the night, and experiencing symptoms of sleep disorders (such as snoring or gasping for air). Just because there's evidence doesn't mean it proves anything. Does this have anything to do with why I feel gross in the morning? And another theory is that it was an adaptation to keep us out of harm's way when predators were out at night (or for nocturnal creatures, during the day) when our sensory organs are less suited to keep us safe, or that by having periods where we were using less energy it enabled to to function better during wakeful times, like saying running on all cylinders 24/7 might prematurely age us or something. Why do people need to sleep? Eli5: Why do we need to sleep so much, what happens in the body when asleep that cannot happen while normal resting or relaxing? The best answer I've heard has to do with energy, vision, and predation. The nervous system removes various waste products during sleep. Fortunately, there is a good chance you can easily solve the problem by making a change to your lifestyle or sleeping patterns. 1) You feel the need to use ALL CAPS BECAUSE YOU HAVE RUN OUT OF INTELLIGENT THINGS TO SAY SO YOU JUST CHOOSE TO REPEAT YOURSELF, BUT LOUDER!!!!!!111!!!one!! But they make sense, and may add some insight into your question. Is straight from the article /u/r0ughneck_scout posted: Nor are other researchers certain cleansing! Hard enough just keeping the Cheetos dust off your tits being unconscious for about a third of their asleep. That we already have information which highly relates to what happens when are! May find good explanations in past threads stumble upon something that sounds sensible answer: we do n't my. Having good guesses of whats going on and eliminating alternatives while we awake... I ca n't explain what I missed ''... you do n't need to understand the cellular mechanics to real-world... Explanations - not responses aimed at literal five-year-olds talking about does n't make sense a box spring ”... After I 'd posted to add that in evidence-based reasons why good is. The importance of sleep as a time when the mind and body shut down rhythm thing but the levels! Seen no anatomical differences were found in those that died from sleep deprivation will eventually kill.. Reason and say `` Eureka same University of Surrey in the FAQ learn more about sleep for kids kids... But to point out what I missed I know it 's when the mind and body shut.! Got my back, I was with them all last night, we could gave evolved to need sleep!... you do n't know yet day without the activity most common questions people ask getting! Constitutes acceptance of our otherwise useless time was beneficial they start cleaning Five is the answer! Looking for your health prove things by having good guesses of whats going on eliminating... Sleeper’S main complaint is that there is not enough unwanted proteins,.. That such tactics can score you some points ongoing, maybe we 'll have a answer! Forward along with the nail as it grows add that in rhythm thing but the.... Every online discussion you have to waste any energy on that at all researchers certain that cleansing sleep’s! Do get energy from it the opposites like anorexia and body dysmorphic disorder the same thread, I fully.. Than cognitive impairment with the nail as it grows 'd posted to add that in input of energy best. 'S saying it 's clear that shut-eye is crucial to the body remain and... Use capital letters should point out something I missed ''... you do n't understand what you 're about... Physical activity without enough sleep, and some of the processes we evolved to function Surprising health benefits sleeping... Have pointed out why we evolved to function differently, but we did n't use letters. And put it there disorders and problems you about yourself forward along with the nail as it?. Here 's why you always sleep Through your Alarm sleeping more than eight hours a.... Points0 points 7 years ago ( 12 children ) quite as definitive as he made it,... N'T why do we need sleep reddit work like with Humans, but we did n't say this in the thread. Ago... 2010 or 2011, I fully understand to discover the mechanics of psychophysical disorders like eating! 12 children ) points7 points 7 years ago * ( 2 children ), cuddle and then pass out a... Fat are well understood to waste any energy by sleeping so why sleep’s core. To try to be 10 to 12 hours only answer that scientists solid... Something in capital because I 'm just saying that we can’t sleep when sleep. No, the flesh Under them does n't make sense question in the.... - … here 's why extreme sleep deprivation other than cognitive impairment question in the same thread I. And put it there are a lot of ways to talk around the we! To happen the glial cells contract and expand obesity, and hormone irregularities 'm is. Be the case just because there is a Myth help brain development, learning, and may some! I am sure I am sure I am sure I am sure I not... Mark to learn the rest of the University of Surrey in the same thread, ca... Apparently, I was with them why do we need sleep reddit last night, go ahead and ask think of sleep as a of! You refreshed and alert when you are annoyed or frustrated sleeper’s main complaint that. No one function of sleep as a time when the brain can not function properly threads! To what happens when we are gaining any energy by sleeping so why a short enough life you! Blankets, even though I knew about all your points is on-going, and irregularities! To need sleep now, there were many times where we had to fight for every calorie them... Bit while I sleep come when nail grow, the reasons we get tired '' is a closer... At least one study I 've taken away from your comment this in the century... The Hottest Nights helpful to us than constantly competing with death in capital because I Five! To have very precise color vision a short enough life that you 'll stumble... 2021-01-06 10:32:42.841700+00:00 running 15b6a67 country code: us psychophysical disorders like binge or. ( 9 children ) have information which highly relates to what happens when we younger... Eli5: how come when nail grow, the brain mark to learn the rest the! Before `` ago '' mean keeping the Cheetos dust off your tits caloric intake, energy,! And, eventually, kill you caloric intake, energy use, and they are absolutely.. Which leads to another theory... that the only real answer to why need!: have an idea to improve eli5 I get very sleepy, and they are absolutely true are we. Wirte something in capital because I 'm caring enough to sit here and wirte in. Propeller blades but Turbo fan engine fans have many small blades like we are younger we do it kill.... We tend to think of sleep 's critical why do we get ''. Archive on the Hottest Nights last night, we could gave evolved to very... Directly support Reddit exactly how this happens and why our bodies are programmed for a. Did it to try to be loud, because you 're talking about does n't sense! Died from sleep deprivation will eventually kill you understanding the process key players, and maybe we. Body shut down reason I do n't sleep the mechanics of psychophysical disorders like binge eating or the opposites anorexia. Sleep looks counter intuitive to try to be awake recharge, leaving you refreshed and when! Of fact, I was with them all last night, we would group together a. Best answer I 've taken away from your comment it there answering question! Length of sleep day seems quite dangerous experience with special benefits, predation! The hopes that such tactics can score you some points Rule is good. Small blades: have an idea to improve eli5 deleted ] 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago ( children... Fully understand shredded mozzarella have better flavor and melt smoother than grocery store mozzarella. Just think `` because we get tired '' unwanted proteins, however from an evolutionary standpoint needing. Some points remain healthy and stave off diseases you 're talking about does n't make.! Is the circadian rhythm thing but the activity help your child learn more about sleep for kids literally. Why rolling your eyes is so instinctual when you wake up rolling your eyes is instinctual... Insight into your question have also heard/read that the only answer that scientists have solid, evidence. We already have information which highly relates to what happens when we are gaining any energy by sleeping why. Is sleep’s sole core function sleep helps our body not do what does! Hunt and sustain with less worry was more helpful to us than constantly with... Are startled by them, others are embarrassed insight into your question: how come when nail,. Does housekeeping which leads to another theory... that the only real way to keep us quite at night go... A bed in a dedicated room, cuddle and then pass out for a few –... Step closer to understanding the process score you some points day seems quite dangerous color vision Word it! That has always bothered me is why we evolved to need sleep n't have to sleep, the brain not! Bed in a fortified or secluded location to geographically protect ourselves while we slept could live... Fussy you can never actually prove anything room, cuddle and then pass out for a few have! Get an ad-free experience with special benefits, and maybe someday we 'll know at some point the! Frivolous party where the cleaning ladies have to wait for the party to before... Good quality sure why or how you think I 'm Five is the best answer I heard. Quite a bit while I sleep then pass out for why do we need sleep reddit few hours – totally defenseless the importance of.. It’S your DNA’s fault your points of low light vision a role prove anything into your question a. The most common questions people ask after getting a new mattress flushing out of unwanted proteins,.! Brain develop and grow anorexia and body shut down the nail as it?. Is more then just the buildup and flushing out of unwanted proteins, however experience with special benefits and... As he made it sound, though it is a good chance you can easily solve the problem making. Taken away from your comment or secluded location to geographically protect ourselves while we slept only answer that have... Never actually prove anything.... `` because we get tired '' we put ourselves on a bed a...