Caffeine affects sleep more than just keeping you awake. New research shows that it changes brain activity during rest, making sleep resemble wakefulness. This can disrupt the restorative processes our brains need at night.
• A study with 40 adults showed those who consumed caffeine had altered brain activity during sleep.
• Caffeine pushed the brain into a state of heightened activity, which is usually good for focus during the day.
• Younger adults experienced greater changes in brain complexity and information flow than older participants.
• Even deep sleep stages, like non-REM sleep, became more active, reducing the benefits of rest.
Understanding caffeine's impact on sleep is crucial. It highlights that caffeine doesn't just delay sleep but fundamentally alters how the brain behaves at night. This can interfere with vital functions like memory consolidation and cellular repair. For those who drink coffee late in the day, these findings serve as a warning to reconsider their caffeine habits.
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