How much sleep do we need and how much is 'bad for your brain'
dailyrecord.co.ukMost adults require between six and nine hours of sleep each night, according to NHS guidance.Many assume the 'eight hours a night' rule is the best one to stick by but recent studies have suggested that this may not be the case.
The research revealed that some adults may actually require as little as four hours or sleep per night in order to wake up feeling refreshed.
The study, published in the Brain journal, found that too much sleep may actually interfere with cognitive function. Experts in Washington, USA, suggested that those who sleep for less than 4.5 hours per night as well as people who sleep for more than 6.5 hours each night were at greater risk of cognitive decline over time.
However, it is important to note that all participants struggled with poor sleep quality. Researchers also found that the impact of sleep duration on the brain was similar to that of ageing - which is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to developing conditions including Alzheimer's in later life.The study concluded that sleeping between 4.5 and 6.5 hours each night is ideal for the average adult.
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