Sleep

Overview

Sleep is the state of natural unconsciousness, during which the Brain's activity is not apparent (except for the continued maintenance of basic bodily functions by the Sympathetic Nervous System).  The body's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) decreases during Sleep.

Sleep is initiated when GABAa alpha-1 Receptors are activated.

Hormone Production/Release

 Human Growth Hormone (hGH) is secreted into the bloodstream by the anterior lobe of the Pineal Gland during Sleep (specifically during Slow-Wave Sleep).

 Melatonin is secreted into the bloodstream by the Pineal Gland during Sleep.

 Testosterone production and release occurs during Sleep and Sleep deprivation leads to lower serum levels of Testosterone.  ^[1]

Hair

 Hair growth occurs during Sleep.

Immune System

 Optimal quantities of Sleep enhance the function of the Immune System.  ^[2]

 Optimal quantities of Sleep are required for the optimal function of NK Lymphocytes (Natural Killer Cells):

 Human subjects who are deprived of sleep in the laboratory exhibit reduced NK Lymphocyte activity.

Amino Acids

 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) may increase total Sleep time.  ^[3]

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may improve the quality of Sleep and may reduce the optimal number of hours of Sleep required.  ^[4]

 Phenylalanine may reduce the amount of Sleep time required.  ^[5]

 Theanine may improve the quality of Sleep.  ^[6]

 Tryptophan (500 - 4,000 mg per night) may reduce the amount of time taken to fall asleep (Sleep latency) when taken one to two hours prior to retiring.  ^[7]

Antioxidants

 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) may reduce the amount of Sleep time that is required for optimal health.  ^[8]

Hormones

 DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) (50 mg per day) may improve the quality of Sleep (especially in people aged 40 and over).  ^[9]

 Human Growth Hormone (hGH) may help to regulate and facilitate Sleep:

 Endogenous hGH is released during Slow-Wave Sleep and helps to regulate REM Sleep.  ^[10]

 Exogenous, supplemental hGH has been demonstrated to restore Slow-Wave Sleep and REM Sleep patterns to normal.

 Melatonin may reduce the relative proportion of the Drowsiness and Stage 1 Sleep and may increase the relative proportion of Stage 2, Slow-Wave and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep:  ^[11]

 Supplemental Melatonin may reduce the number of movements during Sleep, may reduce the time taken to fall asleep after retiring (Sleep latency), may reduce the body’s core temperature during Sleep and may improve the subjective quality of Sleep without increasing next-morning Drowsiness.