Scientists Now Show How Stress And The Circadian Clock Impact Sleep

(Newswire.net — August 23, 2022) Orlando, FL — Scientists around the globe are investigating the various aspects of sleep and the role it plays on overall health.

A study was carried out by a Nagoya University-led research team in Japan. In this study, the investigators found a new neural pathway linking circadian clock, wakefulness, and stress in mammals. 

It is worth noting that the findings may lead to the development of new therapies for certain sleep disorders caused by a disturbed circadian rhythm or stress.  

The findings of this interesting research were published in the Science Advances journal. 

In this study, the team identified a neuron that turns excessively active when the mammal undergoes stress. It is called the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neuron, which could trigger insomnia and other sleep disorders. 

The investigators have revealed that living organisms actually exhibited a 24-hour oscillation called the circadian rhythm. 

According to Dr. Daisuke Ono, it is well-known that the circadian clock and stress have an effect on sleep, but it was unclear which neural pathway is crucial for the circadian regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

Dr. Ono is one of the Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Nagoya University. 

It is worth noting that this Nagoya University research team was spearheaded by Prof. Akihiro Yamanaka and Dr. Ono, in collaboration with Takashi Sugiyama at Olympus Corporation in Japan.

The investigating team actually focused on the CRF neurons that are found in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. These are the neurons known to play a role in stress response. 

The research team concluded that GABAergic neurons in the SCN control the activity of CRF neurons, and this ultimately regulates the sleep-wake cycle. 

“We identified this neural pathway in mice, which are nocturnal animals. Further studies are required to elucidate how the nocturnal and diurnal difference is regulated in the brain,” says Dr. Ono.

Various research studies carried out in the past have shown the link between stress and inadequate sleep. Unfortunately today, there are many people who struggle from chronic stress. 

The good news is that there are some plant-based remedies like curcumin that may be helpful in reducing stress levels. This remedy is found to lessen levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. 

Further, curcumin use has also been found to exert various mechanisms in enhancing sleep. This therapeutic ingredient may be obtained through the use of extra-strength formulas like Divine Bounty Curcumin.

This extra-strength formula also has black pepper, which increases curcumin absorption inside the body (www.amazon.com/Turmeric-Curcumin-BioPerine-Pepper-Extract/dp/B00VSVKJ8I).