Studies Reveal Sleep Can Improve Your Memory

You know that sleep is important for so many things, including brain function, keeping your weight in check, and overall good health. But can sleep help your memory as well? It looks that way – and in more than one way! Two recent studies prove that making sure you are catching your “Zzzzz’s” will not only help protect the memories you have, but also improve your ability to remember current information. Let’s examine this developing research . . .

The Research
One study took a look at how a good night’s sleep will help improve your recall ability and the other looked at how a nap during the day can speed the memory process up and help improve your ability to function throughout the day.

Study #1
The first study was published in April 2007 by the American Academy of Neurology’s 59th Annual Meeting in Boston. What the study did was take a close look at memory recall in people between the ages of 18 and 30. The requirements were that all participants had to have normal sleep patterns and behaviors, and not be taking any sleeping medication.

The subjects were divided into four equal groups: a wake group without interference, a wake group with interference, a sleep group without interference and a sleep group with interference. Interference is defined as information that is competing for memory space. All four groups were then taught the same twenty pairs of words.

The study showed that the groups in which the participants were able to sleep after learning the information had the best performance of the four. The group that was able to sleep without interference was able to recall 12 percent more information then the group that did not get to sleep. Between the two groups where interference was included, the group that was able to sleep had a recall rate 44 percent higher then the wake group.

Study #2
Jumping ahead to January of 2008, Professor Avi Karni and Dr. Maria Korman of the Center for Brain and Behavior Research at the University of Haifa did a study that showed that a 90-minute nap during the day can help speed of the process of how the brain turns short term memories into long term memories.

In this study the participants were taught how to bring their finger and thumb together in a certain sequence. One group of participants was allowed to take a 90-minute nap after learning the sequence and the other group was kept awake. The group that was able to take the nap had a significant improvement in their ability to perform the sequence. Both groups were assessed again after getting a full night’s sleep. The result was that the two groups showed the equal ability in performing the sequence.

The studies also took a look at how sleep disturbances play a part in diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Conclusion
Between these two studies you can certainly see how important sleeping is for the mind! Gingko supplements aren’t the only way to better your memory. Getting a good night’s sleep will go a long way in helping you improve your memory and your ability to recall information more readily. And, getting a nap in during the day will help you improve your ability to perform daily tasks.