What really happens in our brains when we sleep

Every night when we fall asleep, our brains and bodies switch into a mode of functioning that’s entirely different from that of our waking lives. During sleep, our bodies become essentially paralysed, and our brains conjure up bizarre scenarios through dreams or even nightmares. But what exactly is happening during this period of our daily lives, why do we do it in the first place, and what can we learn about ourselves from it?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Baland Jalal to talk about his latest book, The Phantom Mind – Insights from the Borderlands of Sleep.

He tells us how our brain functions alter when we fall asleep, why the emotional content of our dreams feels so real despite often being so bizarre, and why some of us remember our dreams more than others after waking.

Take your curiosity further with a subscription to BBC Science Focus magazine. Every issue is packed with fascinating insights into the science behind everyday life, the latest breakthroughs and expert analysis, delivered straight to your door. Receive an extra £5 when you subscribe using the code SF5OFF, (minimum spend £20, see full terms and conditions on our website).

https://www.ourmediashop.com/bbc-science-focus-magazine-pod30

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