A study published in the journal NeuroImage found that a 45-minute afternoon nap can reduce synaptic strength and increase the brain’s capacity for new learning, according to a report by NaturalNews.com [1]. Researchers from the University of Freiburg studied 20 healthy adults and observed that participants who napped between 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. showed improved neural flexibility compared to when they stayed awake during the same period [2]. The study used electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to measure brain activity before and after sleep or wakefulness.
How the study was conducted
Each participant completed two sessions in a controlled sleep lab on different days: one with a nap and one without, according to a mindbodygreen.com report [2]. The nap timing was aligned with the natural circadian dip that many people experience in the early afternoon, the report stated. On average, participants slept for about 45 minutes, spending most of that time in light to moderate sleep stages.
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