Sleep Activates Brain Waste Clearance

Sleep triggers a wash cycle in the brain, according to a 2013 study involving live mice. During sleep or anesthesia, the interstitial space in their brains expanded by more than 60%, increasing the exchange of cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid. This increased flow cleared beta-amyloid faster than during wakefulness, suggesting that sleep helps remove potentially harmful waste from the brain. Therefore pulling an all-nighter stops this waste from clearing can cause brain fog.

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