Brain Cleansing During Sleep

                                                                                                      

Brain Cleansing During Sleep

The following is an excerpt from an article written by Tad Wanveer a CranioSacral Therapist and instructor for the Upledger Institute.

Why do we sleep?

Recent research by Maiken Nedergaard and colleagues at the University of Rochester in New York shows that a major purpose of sleep is to help the brain cleanse itself of harmful materials.

How does the brain cleanse itself?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a nourishing and cleansing brain fluid.  CSF carries essential nutrients into the brain, and transports waste and toxic material out of the brain.

How does CSF flow into and out of the brain?

The brain is comprised of two cell types: “neurons” and “glia.”  Glia have a multitude of important tasks and one is to control the flow of CSF.  One sort of glial cell is called an “astrocyte” because it looks similar to a radiating star.  The tips of some of these star-shaped cells create channels in which CSF flows into and out of the brain.  For CSF to actually enter or exit the brain it passes through little holes in the astrocyte tips called “aquaporins.”

What controls the flow of CSF inside the brain?

Astrocytes and other glial cells help control the size of the space through which CSF and other substances flow inside the brain (extracellular space).  The extracellular space becomes smaller during wakefulness and larger during sleep.  The larger extracellular space allows more CSF to flow inside the brain.

What happens if CSF doesn’t flow well?

When CSF flow is hindered then brain cells can’t receive essential nutrients nor cleanse themselves well.  This can cause cell stress that may lead to cell dysfunction.  For instance neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are associated with a build-up of toxic material in the brain.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) may help CSF flow.

One primary intent of CST, a gentle hands-on therapy, is to encourage the flow of CSF.  CST clients often fall asleep during treatment.  Perhaps this is the body’s way of boosting the effect of CST by optimizing the size of the space through which CSF flows.

Sleep opens the brain-cleansing pathways.

In summary during sleep the brain’s extracellular space enlarges.  This allows more CSF to flow throughout the brain.  CSF helps carry essential nutrients to brain cells and helps cleanse the brain of toxic material.  This is a very important reason why we need to sleep.

Jeannette Raskin is at Family First Chiropractic on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 
To book an appointment call 403-347-3261. 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer.  www.family1stchiro.ca