Older Sleep Less Because...

[littlemissmartypants]

Ever wonder why older people sleep less?

—People in their 70s and beyond seem to need so much less sleep than they did when they were younger. New research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center may finally explain why: They have lost sleep-promoting brain cells.

Working on animals, Beth Israel scientists had previously pinpointed a type of brain cell active mainly during sleep. When these neurons fire, they release a chemical called galanin that quiets brain signaling, allowing for sleep.

More at the link http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2014/08/24/ever-wonder-why-older-people-sleep-less/Mmp2VMUTUkCnV9rfUaKW1K/story.html?p1=Article_InThisSection_Bottom

[merrily]

1. Naps.

j/k

I have no clue why older people sleep less. I know that I could conk out for 12-14 hours on the weekends when I was a teen, but lost that ability (and that desire).

[littlemissmartypants]

2. As usual it's a biochemistry thing. Neurological.

Heady stuff.

Pun intended.

Love you, merrily!

Jokesters are always way better than meanies.

Love and Peace,
~ Lmsp

[merrily]

3. Backatcha, littlemiss! Love your posts!

[rpannier]

4. Interesting and Depressing

Interesting article and thanks for sharing

Depressing because I'm 50, have trouble sleeping and spend much of my day in a daze

[littlemissmartypants]

5. I understand. I cut out caffeine and it didn't help a bit.

I am glad you found it interesting.
Thanks for your post.

littlemissmartypants

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. That happened to me when I was taking prozac.

SSRI's cause sleep disturbances,. I couldn't sleep at night even when I was just exhausted. Then during the day I felt like a zombie.

[vicman]

6. I don't sleep as much

because it's a 24/7 job keeping THOSE DARN KIDS OFF MY LAWN!!!

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Thanks.

Maybe you would have better luck if you didn't try it in the middle of the night. Here let me hold this



Now try.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. And onions don't attach themselves...

to belts on their own

[bemildred]

8. Yeah, that's one way to look at it.

I view it as not having to sleep on some artificial schedule.

But I've definitely noticed it, either way. I rarely sleep 8 hours any more.

[CTyankee]

12. me too. I think it's great when I get more than 6 hours...but I hate that I fall asleep

so early. I think that drinking a few ounces of milk helps me get back to sleep...

[newfie11]

9. So that explains why I'm awake at 3am

And not sleepy the rest of the day.
I used to be a zombie without 10 hrs of sleep but not now.

[kickysnana]

16. Neighbors keep threatening to schedule 3am card games for all the 3am wakers. n/t

[newfie11]

17. Ok I'm in

[CTyankee]

18. We older folks have more aches and pains, too...

I have spinal arthritis and now arthritis in my knee...it is not easy having an aging body...

[newfie11]

19. I had older patients years ago

Telling me getting old isn't for cowards. Now I know what they meant.
Of course the rest of their comment was it's better than the alternative.

[kimbutgar]

10. My 92 year old Mother loves to sleep

But when she was in her 60 & 70's she complained about being an insomiac. Now when she's awake we make her get out out bed and sit on the couch otherwise she will keep sleeping.

[magical thyme]

11. and here I was blaming my dogs...

actually, I'm still blaming them. If they sleep all night, so do I. It happens every few nights or so...

[dragonlady]

14. Cats, too

They get up too early in the morning.