By Victoria Vernail We are nearing the arrival of springtime. Flowers blooming, birds chirping, and – wait – one less hour of sleep? Thanks, Daylight Saving Time. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the period from March to November where most of the United States turns the clocks forward one hour ahead of Standard Time (ST). … Continue reading Does springing forward hold us back? The debate surrounding Daylight Saving Time
sleep
A Lullaby DOES Lead to a Good Night: The Effects of Music on Sleep in Adults
By Anthony Habib Rahawi Introduction Sleep is a dynamic process that is crucial for multidimensional health,1 as impaired sleep increases the risk of developing cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and psychological disorders. Insufficient sleep affects approximately one third of adults in the US, while approximately one fifth of the US population are diagnosed with sleep disorders.2 Due … Continue reading A Lullaby DOES Lead to a Good Night: The Effects of Music on Sleep in Adults
Can Wearing Orange-Tinted Glasses before Bed Improve Sleep? Only One Way to Find Out…
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 5th year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program In March, I wrote about the terrible sleep habits of the characters in House of Cards. I disapproved of Frank Underwood’s late-night computer work in the Oval Office, his new midnight iPad gaming habit, and Claire taking her laptop to bed with her. But I … Continue reading Can Wearing Orange-Tinted Glasses before Bed Improve Sleep? Only One Way to Find Out…
Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder: People who get SAD in the Summer
By: Lina Jamis, 2nd year student in the Anatomy Graduate Program Snow-lovers rejoice—winter is coming! And no, this isn’t an allusion to Game of Thrones. With the end of Daylight Savings, the days are becoming darker earlier, which for some can mean the onset of the winter blues. The medical term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder … Continue reading Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder: People who get SAD in the Summer
Alcohol, Sleep, and Why You Might Re-think that Nightcap
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program "Alcohol makes you sleepy." We've all heard it. Many of us have experienced it. A few of us even swear by it—enough to ceremonially partake in a glass or two of wine before crawling into bed. A nightcap. In fact, a little booze … Continue reading Alcohol, Sleep, and Why You Might Re-think that Nightcap
Sleep Cycle Apps: Precise, or Placebo?
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program Thanks to the Internet, it's the age of self-diagnosis. People like to learn about (and treat) themselves through technology. Especially when pretty graphs are involved (see fancy screenshot at left). As a sleep researcher, I was interested in my friends' use of sleep-tracking … Continue reading Sleep Cycle Apps: Precise, or Placebo?
Why Do People Sleep? Surprisingly, Nobody Knows
By: Jordan Gaines, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Why do people eat? The answer is obvious: to convert food into energy for us to do work. We wouldn't be able to move or think otherwise, and lack of food would eventually starve us to death. Now consider: why do people sleep? According to … Continue reading Why Do People Sleep? Surprisingly, Nobody Knows
Getting a Sleep Study: What’s All That Stuff They Put on Me?!
By: Jordan Gaines, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Have you ever had a sleep study done? Perhaps you or a loved one has been referred to a sleep clinic for insomnia, apnea, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome. Maybe you’ve participated in a sleep research study—and if you’re in central Pennsylvania, you may even … Continue reading Getting a Sleep Study: What’s All That Stuff They Put on Me?!
Lions Talk Science 