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Sleep Is the Ultimate Brainwasher
sciencehabit writes "Every night since humans first evolved, we have made what might be considered a baffling, dangerous mistake. Despite the once-prevalent threat of being eaten by predators, and the loss of valuable time for gathering food, accumulating wealth, or having sex, we go to sleep. Scientists have long speculated and argued about why we devote roughly a third of our lives to sleep, but with little concrete data to support any particular theory. Now, new evidence (abstract, full text paywalled) has refreshed a long-held hypothesis: During sleep, the brain cleans itself."
During sleep, the Cerebrospinal fluid fills channels in the brain, collecting waste products. It uses a lot of energy, leading to the hypothesis that the brain can't clean up waste while also processing sensory input.
Humans suffer from major memory leaks and must be shut down periodically due to poor garbage collection.
Cats must have very clean brains!?
Apparently, brain poop which may lead to many brain farts.
yep...brain waste excreted with hair balls.
"This was also a favorite time for scholars and poets to write uninterrupted, whereas still others visited neighbors, had sex, or engaged in petty crime." ...Or all the above, at the same time :)
Like visiting a neighbor to have sex with his wife and steal some silver in the process... and then write about it.
...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)