Brain Anatomy
What is the hindbrain?
The brain is divided into three main parts: the forebrain, midbrain, and this part at the top of the spinal cord.
What is N1 sleep?
This first stage of sleep is called “light sleep,” when your body starts to relax but you can still wake up easily.
What is insomnia?
This term describes when someone has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or isn’t sleeping enough.
What is the cerebellum?
This wrinkled tissue in the hindbrain helps coordinate movement and learned actions.
What is N2 sleep?
During this stage, heart rate and body temperature drop, and eye movement stops.
What is sleep deprivation?
When insomnia gets so bad that a person isn’t getting enough sleep, it is called this stage.
What is the cerebrum?
This part of the forebrain is the largest, is the source of conscious thought, holds memories, and lets you plan and imagine.
What happens during N3 (Deep Sleep)
During this stage, brain waves become extremely slow, blood pressure drops, and the body grows and repairs tissue while strengthening the immune system.
What is middle (maintenance) insomnia?
This is the most common form of insomnia, where someone wakes up in the middle of the night but can fall back asleep.
What is the hypothalamus?
This peanut-sized structure in the brain.
What happens during REM Sleep?
In this stage, your eyes move rapidly under your eyelids, your body becomes paralyzed so you don’t act out dreams, and the amygdala, hippocampus, and occipital lobe are highly active.
What are effects of insomnia?
Long-term insomnia can increase the risk of these health problems, including depression, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
What is the amygdala?
During REM sleep, this almond-shaped structure becomes more active and helps process emotions.
What is the hippocampus?
During REM sleep, this part of your brain helps you remember things you dreamed about.
What are ways to avoid insomnia?
Ways to help avoid insomnia include taking certain drugs that make you sleepy or changing your diet and using herbs that help your body produce sleep chemicals.