Answer

During rest, the brain continues to process information received throughout the day, especially new knowledge and experiences. While sleeping, the brain remains active, reactivating neural traces and related events from the day. This process consolidates and organizes them into more stable memories.

This process involves the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for forming new memories and acting as the brain's memory processing center. During the day, new experiences and knowledge are temporarily recorded in the hippocampus. In the NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep stage, the brain can "replay" some of the information received throughout the day. It then transmits and compresses this information in the cerebral cortex for long-term memory formation and storage.

A doctor at Tam Anh General Hospital consults a patient. Illustration: Hospital provided

Sleep quality also affects memory processing. When sleep is interrupted, the reactivation of neural patterns related to previous experiences can decrease. Conversely, after compensatory sleep, this activity partially recovers. This indicates that sleep not only helps the body rest but also enables the brain to reactivate and strengthen previously formed memory traces.

Poor sleep quality disrupts the transmission of information and memory formation. This leads to reduced memory, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness. Chronic sleep deprivation and insomnia decrease blood flow to the brain, negatively impacting its ability to learn and retain new information.

However, the brain does not retain all information from the day. Memory capacity also depends on whether information is adequately attended to and encoded initially. For example, even with sufficient sleep, if you study or work without focus, your ability to remember and synthesize information in the evening is often poorer.

The brain continues to work even while sleeping. Photo: Eco Pharmaceuticals

To maintain optimal memory and information processing activities, you should focus on improving sleep quality. Establish a scientific routine for work, study, daily activities, exercise, and rest. Additionally, consider supplementing with natural nutrients such as blueberry containing anthocyanin and pterostilbene combined with ginkgo biloba. These nutrients can cross the blood-brain barrier, helping to combat free radicals, protect nerve cells and cerebral blood vessels, and promote sound, deep sleep.

Doctor Hoang Quyet Tien

Medical Information Center

Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM