Wired and Tired: Sleep Science from Neurobiology to Daily Struggles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2829Keywords:
Sleep Science, Neurobiology, Circadian RhythmsAbstract
Sleep is a complex biological process regulated by neural systems, circadian rhythms, environmental cues and more. Poor sleep quality has become a global public health concern, affecting nearly one-third of adults worldwide. This paper provides an overview of sleep biology, the causes of poor sleep, and its consequences for mental and physiological health. It outlines the structure and regulation of healthy sleep, followed by biological, behavioral, environmental, and genetic disruptions that can worsen sleep quality. It then examines common clinical sleep disorders - such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, hypersomnolence disorder and REM sleep behavior disorder - and reviews current medications. This paper aims to provide an interdisciplinary overview of sleep biology, explore the complex causes of poor sleep, and examine how its disruption affects nearly every aspect of human functioning.
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