Why does sleep enhance learning and memory

In one study, a group of 44 participants underwent two rigorous sessions of learning, once at noon and again at PM. Half of the group was allowed to nap between sessions, while the other half took part in standard activities.

The researchers found that the group that napped between learning sessions learned just as easily at PM as they did at noon. Humans have known about the benefits of sleep for memory recall for thousands of years. In fact, the first record of this revelation is from the first century AD. In the last century, scientists have tested this theory many times, often finding that sleep improves memory retention and recall by between 20 and 40 percent.

Recent research has led scientists to hypothesize that Stage 3 deep non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, or Slow Wave Sleep may be especially important for the improvement of memory retention and recall [2]. Scientists hypothesize that sleep also plays a major role in forming long-term memories. Many tests are designed to assess critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Recent research has led scientists to hypothesize that sleep, particularly REM sleep, plays a role in strengthening these skills.

In the study, participants solved a couple of anagram puzzles before going to sleep in a sleep laboratory with electrodes placed on their heads. The researchers found that when participants were woken up during REM sleep, they could solve 15 to 35 percent more puzzles than they could when woken up from NREM sleep.

They also performed 15 to 35 percent better than they did in the middle of the day [4]. It seems that REM sleep may play a major role in improving the ability to solve complex problems. Memories seem to become more stable in the brain during the deep stages of sleep. After that, REM—the most active stage of sleep—seems to play a role in linking together related memories, sometimes in unexpected ways.

REM sleep also helps you process emotional memories, which can reduce the intensity of emotions. Unfortunately, the deep memory-strengthening stages of sleep start to decline in our late 30s. Older adults had a harder time remembering things the next day, and memory impairment was linked to reductions in deep sleep. The researchers are now exploring options for enhancing deep stages of sleep in this older age group.

For younger people, especially students, Stickgold offers additional advice. Disruptive Leg Movement? Good Sleep for Good Health. Editor: Harrison Wein, Ph. Managing Editor: Tianna Hicklin, Ph. Illustrator: Alan Defibaugh. Blocking out light can help you sleep — and function — better Credit: Getty Images. Children have more slow-wave sleep than adults — which may be one factor explaining how quickly kids learn, in both language and other areas.

Adults can also call upon this kind of information learned during the day. Daytime naps in children are key for their ability to learn new words, among other language skills Credit: Getty Images.

Not only does sleep help with accessing this information, it also changes the way this information is accessed.

This makes brains more flexible at retrieving information or able to access it in more ways. But it also makes them better at extracting the most significant parts of it. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. Share using Email. By Christine Ro 20th August Students intensively studying their second language had more REM sleep, giving them more time to integrate what they were learning while they slept.