Relaxing on the side is useful for the brain
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
At the University of New York, located in Stony Brook, a group of researchers said that sleep on the side is healthier, since this position allows to effectively clean the brain of poisonous substances and decomposition products, the excess of which can lead to serious consequences. Specialists noted that toxins are one of the main factors that provoke neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
The research team was led by Helen Benveniste, with her colleagues she studied the brain and the glyphatic system, which plays a key role in purifying the brain from the products of decay (the studies were performed with the help of a magnetic resonance tomograph).
As a result of the work, scientists have established that in the prone position on the side, the harmful substances were most effectively removed from the brain.
The Benveniste group for several years monitored the condition of rodents with the help of MRI and studied the work of the glyphatic system, which made it possible to single out the path of this system when the cerebrospinal fluid is filtered through the brain and mixed with the intercellular fluid. This facilitates the effective cleansing of one of the main organs from the decay products (this method resembles the purification of other organs by the lymphatic system).
The glyphatic system works most at night, with its help the brain is cleared of harmful substances, in particular, beta-amyloids (promote the development of Alzheimer's ) and tau proteins.
In the process, scientists forced the mice to fall asleep, after which the animals were placed on their back, stomach or side and made an MRI. The work of the Benveniste group was confirmed by scientists from the University of Rochester, who used radioactive indicators and a fluorescent microscope in their work.
Both groups of researchers recognized that sleeping on their sides helps to cleanse the brain. According to the results of this work, experts said that rest and effective cleansing of one of the main organs is affected not only by the duration and quality of sleep, special importance should also be given to the situation in which you sleep.
One of the employees of the Rotchester University, who took part in the research project, Maiken Nedergor noted that in most cases people and animals prefer to rest on their sides. According to scientists this is due to the process of removing harmful substances from the brain, and the body chooses a convenient position for this.
There are different types of senile dementia (dementia), which are more or less related to sleep disturbances, including insomnia and problems with falling asleep. With age, accumulation of harmful substances in the brain in combination with sleep disorders can accelerate the process of memory loss in Alzheimer's, Nedergor noted.
The plans of the team of researchers to conduct tests with a group of volunteers from among people, which will allow us to draw definitive conclusions and recommend the most favorable positions for an overnight stay.
[