Cleaning Your Brain While You Sleep: The Glymphatic System ๐ง
Let's dive into what you need to know about the glymphatic system. What is it? ๐ค Think of it as your brain's lymphatic system - a cleanup crew that: - Removes waste materials - Delivers essential nutrients - Maintains brain homeostasis - Distributes glucose, lipids & neurotransmitters Why Should You Care? โ ๏ธ A dysfunctional glymphatic system is linked to: 1๏ธโฃ Neurological Conditions - Alzheimer's (beta-amyloid buildup) - Parkinson's (alpha-synuclein) - Multiple Sclerosis - Brain injuries - Stroke - CTE - Migraines 2๏ธโฃ Sleep disorders 3๏ธโฃ Age-related decline 10 Ways to Optimize Your Brain's Cleaning System: 1๏ธโฃ Sleep Optimization - 7-8 hours of deep sleep - Best position: Right side - Second best: Left side - Avoid stomach sleeping 2๏ธโฃ Exercise Daily - 30-45 minutes - Walking - Running - HIIT - Weight training 3๏ธโฃ Stay Hydrated ๐ง - Half your body weight in ounces - Add minerals/electrolytes 4๏ธโฃ Mind Your Posture - Avoid prolonged sitting - Use ergonomic setups 5๏ธโฃ Stress Management - Deep breathing exercises - Alternate nostril breathing - Belly breathing 6๏ธโฃ Nutritional Support - Omega-3 fatty acids - Essential minerals 7๏ธโฃ Vagal Stimulation - Humming - Gargling - Gagging exercises 8๏ธโฃ Physical Therapy - Upper cervical manipulation - Chiropractic care 9๏ธโฃ Light Therapy - LED photobiomodulation - Increases blood flow ๐ Fasting - Intermittent fasting - Extended fasting - Triggers autophagy Sleep Optimization Tips ๐ด Create the perfect sleep environment: - Electronics-free bedroom - Complete darkness - Cool temperature (65-70ยฐF) - White noise - Weighted blanket - Consider mouth taping