Can we harness sleep to enhance learning and memory? |
 Can we harness sleep to enhance learning and memory? |
| The role of sleep in memory has long been a topic of interest for scientists, with slow-wave sleep being particularly important for this process. Now, new research reveals how new techniques could help us harness the power of sleep, especially during deep sleep, to enhance our ability to retain and recall information. A recent study, published in Nature, investigated the effect of a specific odor on memory consolidation during sleep. Participants who were exposed to a rose scent while learning vocabulary words, and then again during sleep, showed improved performance on a test compared with those who did not receive the scent cue. This study builds upon previous research suggesting that sensory cues, such as sounds or smells, can be used to strengthen the memories formed during the day.The brain works to consolidate these memories during sleep, particularly during slow-wave sleep. A deeper understanding of how memories are consolidated could point to practical ways to improve our sleep habits and support our brain’s natural learning processes. However, Michael K. Scullin, PhD, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, notes, “I think the better focus is to improve sleep quality and quantity. That begins with making sleep a priority, and developing a good bedtime routine [...] For students, the best approach is to use effective study strategies while awake [...] and then get a good night’s sleep.” To dive deeper into the latest research on sleep and memory, and to discover more expert insights on the topic, jump to “How can we harness sleep to enhance our memory?” Also making headlines this week:
Stay informed and stay healthy! Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today |
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