A study by University of Rochester neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard discovered an interesting, previously unknown function of sleep: It cleans metabolic toxins and other damaging substances out of the brain.

Using mice, researchers compared the clearance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brains’ microscopic spaces (interstitial spaces) during sleep compared to when the animals were awake.

Sophisticated instruments measured these tiny lymph-like channels, showing that during sleep the flow of CSF increased significantly and the channels opened up.

When the animals were awake, the channels shrunk and the CSF flow slowed considerably.

It’s when we are awake that most of these metabolic toxins accumulate. This study found that without sleep, these toxic substances stay in the brain in much higher levels.

This breakthrough study is another way that we are beginning to understand why we sleep, which has been largely a mystery until now.

This should be a caution to those who like to stay up late and skip sleep. Over time, there is a price to pay.

It has been determined that prolonged periods of sleep deprivation can cause a complete disassociation from reality and lead to a state of insanity-like behavior.

If such sleep deprivation continues, it will eventually kill the person, as we have seen in cases of fatal insomnia.

As we begin to feel sleepy, the brain releases a small dose of melatonin from the pineal gland, which makes us fall asleep.

But this substance does a lot more than just put us to sleep — it is also one of the brain’s most powerful and versatile antioxidants, and it reduces excitotoxic damage.

There is some evidence that melatonin not only reduces our risk of neurodegeneration but it also lowers our risk of cancer — not just brain cancer but all types of cancers

Studies of Alzheimer’s patients have found very low levels of melatonin in the patients’ spinal fluid — a measure of brain levels of melatonin.

We also see low levels of melatonin in Parkinson’s disease and autism spectrum disorders.
Interestingly, glutamate and aspartate (a component in aspartame) also inhibits melatonin production by the pineal gland.

Fluoride specifically targets the pineal, and over decades can reach extremely toxic levels by accumulating in the gland.