The Sweet Sounds of Deep Sleep

Did you know that the average American sleeps a full hour less than we did in the 1940's? That may not seem like much, but it can add up.

Poor sleep is linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. If you go untreated for a sleep disorder, you may be more susceptible to these diseases. And that's not all - poor sleep also affects mental health. When we are sleep-deprived, many parts of our bodies suffer both mentally and physically. As if that isn't enough, quality of sleep also affects our health and well-being in many other ways.

Sleep scientist, Dan Gartenberg has focused his research on the most regenerative part of sleep: deep sleep. When we fall into deep sleep, we are able to convert daily interactions into long-term memories as well as into our personalities. Through research on sounds that mirror brain waves, Dan and his colleagues are working on ways to aid us during our deep sleep, ultimately benefiting our health, memory and ability to learn.

Learn more through this TED Talk.