Why Does Your Brain Lose Focus During the Day? Scientists Discover the Reason
A research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has reached a new explanation for a common phenomenon many suffer from: weak focus during the day after a night of insomnia or lack of sleep.
The study published in the scientific journal Nature Neuroscience explained that the reason is due to a sudden movement in brain fluids, a process the brain usually performs during deep sleep to clean itself of waste and toxins resulting from its daily activity.
The researchers stated that cerebrospinal fluid plays the role of a cleaning system for the brain, which operates efficiently during sleep without affecting thinking and attention.
However, when deprived of sleep, the brain attempts to activate this function during waking hours, leading to a decline in focus.
The study included 26 volunteers who underwent focus measurement tests and MRI scans twice:
the first after a good night's sleep, and the second after a complete night of sleep deprivation.
The results showed that the volunteers' responses to visual and auditory cues were much faster after good sleep, while speed declined and some missed important cues when deprived of sleep.
Researcher Laura Lewis, an assistant professor at the institute, stated:
"In the case of sleep deprivation, cerebrospinal fluid waves begin to flow during the day, conflicting with the person's sense of alertness. This weakens attention and affects the ability to focus in critical moments."
In summary:
Sleep deprivation not only harms memory but also keeps your brain busy cleaning itself during the day, reducing your ability to focus and pay attention.
