Sleep Drives Brain Waste Clearance: Your Nightly Detox System
Does Your Brain Have a Waste Disposal System That Works During Sleep?
Yes, and it’s one of the most important discoveries in sleep science. This landmark research revealed that sleep activates a sophisticated waste clearance system in the brain, dramatically increasing the removal of toxic metabolites that accumulate during waking hours. The brain’s “glymphatic system” increases its activity by 60% during sleep, flushing out cellular waste products including proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.