Sleep Regulation: Neurobiology of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
I explain how the brain regulates circadian rhythms and whether a literal “clock” exists within it in simple terms based on experience and research.
Sleep is the cornerstone of human and organismal well-being, highlighted in my previous health and cognitive function stories. Without sleep, rest, and downtime, the brain’s vitality wanes. Nonetheless, in our contemporary era, there is a trend where some people shun sleep, resorting to alertness aids in pursuit of heightened productivity. I have compassion for millions of people experience sleep deprivation as I also struggled with it causing severe health issues to me in my younger years.
Recently, I discussed vital biochemicals influencing sleep regulation and patterns, including cortisol, melatonin, and adenosine, while emphasizing the significance of biological rhythms like circadian rhythms. Following this discussion, subscribers intrigued by the hormonal aspects sought clarification on how the brain regulates these rhythms and whether a literal “clock” exists within it.
Given these inquiries, which arose when teaching neurobiology and neurochemistry lectures on sleep architecture in cognitive science classes, it is beneficial to simply…
