The Art and Science of Sleep

The Art and Science of Sleep

Art can take many forms: music, animation, literature, photography, design, painting, drawing and other illustrative or visual fine arts… the list goes on and on. But what about scientific endeavours? Science is usually recognized, among other signs, by its methodology (the rigorous scientific method), the replicability of results and theories supported by evidence.

Amazingly enough, at times science meets art in unusual ways, and the result can be quite intriguing. For example, the word SMURF refers to mythical blue creatures originally created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo. Notwithstanding, the identically sounding abbreviation stands for Smad Ubiquination Regulatory Factor (a ligase). Similarly, ROCK can mean a popular, somewhat rebellious musical genre, as well as Rho-associated kinase. Finally, the most famous of the Pokemons, Pikachu, lent his name to a protein discovered in Japan. Pikachurin is an essential protein-like polyssacharide in the brain.

Perhaps not as much as love and magic, but sleep has fascinated many an author or storyteller. From the legendary Sandman to stories about alternate worlds located in dreams, fictional accounts have often centered on this basic human function. While the relationship between sleep, neuroregeneration and neurorestoration is being looked into, it has largely been established that sleep aids memory and learning. In particular, scientists have shown that procedural memories (the type of implicit memory that aids skill formation) are greatly aided by getting enough sleep.

Further, experiments have demonstrated that in the absence of Zeitgebers (German for ‘time givers’) mice woke up a little later everyday, extending their chronological cycle. Interestingly, other research has documented that humans get used to a certain amount of hours of sleep (within reasonable limits), that they can change with training and habit. Also, sleeping may be classified into two types: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement). Despite this, of course there are infinitely many types of dreams…

Light and noise are also important to sleep. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

In conclusion, it seems that a text about sleep and art would be incomplete without Sleeping Beauty. She is the central protagonist of a folktale (Charles Perreault, Brothers Grimm, cultural variants, Disney animated film, etc.) in which a young princess falls under a wicked spell and ends up sound asleep until her Prince Charming one day wakes her up with a kiss. Today, most likely from the fairytale, many use the saying ‘beauty sleep’, referring to how much better one looks when well rested.

Anxiety Reduction

Anxiety Reduction

The essay describes some psychological theories related to anxiety, coping skills and relaxation techniques. The environment presents many challenges and demands, and expectations may cause considerable stress. Interestingly, psychological studies show that change causes stress on individuals, at it holds true even for positive changes, particularly in women compared to me. Likewise, cortisol (steroid neurohormone) appears to be related to stress, while excessive cortisol levels may be related to weight gain around the waist. An important distinction lies in individual differences of perceived stress. For example, a person may be used to stressful situations and no longer interpret them as unusual, while another person would find the stress levels highly disruptive and unpleasant.

Psychologists describe anxiety as a fearful reaction to unconfirmed threats. Anxiety provoking stimuli typically do not warrant fear, as opposed to real danger to which fear is an adaptive reaction. For instance, thoroughly washing one’s hands before eating out of fear of contamination is an adaptive, evolutionary mechanism, while compulsively washing for 30 minutes after each meal for fear of germs is not and represents anxiety (and a compulsion if intrusive and repeated). Compulsions represent repetitive behaviours, often maladaptive. For instance, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts and compulsions.

Anxiety. Illustration by Elena

Relaxation techniques include breathing and self-talk, thinking positive thoughts, meditation. In general, psychologists tend to agree that unless a habit causes distress to the individual it not much of a problem, although there are exceptions, and of course it does not apply to cases when the person is a danger to themselves or others. Talking to trusted friends helps reduce anxiety also. Another method consists of visualization, picturing a safe, positive environment and relaxing. Alternatively, relaxation music, such as that played in spas, may also help people to keep calm, as well as recordings of the sound of sea or ocean waves; this concludes the present excerpt on psychology, anxiety and stress reduction strategies.

Anxiety and Restlessness as Side Effect from Medication

Anxiety and Restlessness as Side Effect from Medication

Anxiety and restlessness may be a side effect from medication. As a general rule, medications are there to alleviate one’s symptoms and make one feel better. However, most medications come with some side effects. For example, let’s take risperidone, an antypsychothic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Among other things and side effects, risperidone may cause severe restlessness and anxiety. Not only can one feel impending doom under the medicated influence, but the restlessness may drive a person to being unable to do virtually anything.

Raising awareness of mental illness counters stigma, loneliness and isolation. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

For instance, a person feeling such restlessness is uncomfortable doing virtually anything. Unable to read, unable to write, to focus, to walk, to sit still, to watch TV, to play computer games… no matter the activity a person overwhelmed with restlessness and anxiety, just wants to stop and do something else, only the cycle continues once they have changed activity. Certain medications may alleviate such side effects, and perhaps also coping skills, such as taking hot showers, exercising, participating in group therapy, but mostly if one feels uncomfortable doing virtually anything, then switching to another medication may seem like the only, and wisest, choice one is left with.

Beauty

Beauty

While neuroscientists have tried to pinpoint the neural correlates of beauty, psychologists have long ago attempted to establish what is considered beautiful across cultures. During repeated studies, some differences, as well as similarities, between what the sexes see as attractive were found.

For instance, generally it seems that men attach much larger importance to women’s youth and beauty. Alternatively, women seem to care less about the outside and age, and more on the capacity of the potential partner to take care of the offspring (in terms of resources and otherwise). Despite being criticized and highly debated, such findings appear to be supported by evolutionary theory.

A green haired beauty, somewhat resembling popular actress Angelina Jolie, who has consistently been designated as the most beautiful woman in the world. What do these ladies have in common? Large green (blue green in the case of the celebrity) eyes and full lips. Image: Copyright © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Further, women with a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) between 0.6 and 0.9 were consistently rated as more desirable across experiments. Surprisingly, when questioned, women appear to chose a thinner body type as preferable, than men do (looking at the same photos and hypothetical drawings). A clear complexion was judged as an indicator of health and good looks in most parts of the world studied, also interpreted as an indicator of reproductive fitness, alongside to other facts deemed attractive.

Many concerns have been voiced by the influence of the media on body perception. The glamorized thin, or sculpted, ideal has been blamed for the rise in eating disorders or unsafe bodybuilding methods. Still, without reaching the extremes, a balanced, nutritious diet, combined with regular exercise, are usually prescribed to make one look and feel better. The latter may be achieved though the release of endorphins, produced naturally by the body during physical activity.

A gorgeous model in a glamorous gown in an unlikely setting for cocktail party. Image: Copyright © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Aside from dietary and athletic regimes, there are evidently other players shaping up a person’s appearance. Thus, fashion (including retail) and personal care are significant industries.

Neuroscience of Intelligence

The Neuroscience of Intelligence

Several scientists have looked at the neural correlates of intelligence. Of course, since the concept is subjective and complicated, the task is a difficult one. Nonetheless, some interesting facts have been established.

For example, Narr et al. (2006) attest that there is a relationship between regional gray matter thickness and IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests. As a brief aside, the brain is composed of gray matter and white matter. Gray matter represents neuronal cell bodies, while white matter consists of axons. Axons are myelinated, and myelin is a fatty substance that speeds transmission, which explains the color. Thus, the authors have examined the association, and found a positive correlation between gray and, to a lesser degree, white matter volumes and Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ). However, no such link was present in relation to cerebrospinal fluid quantities.

Spatial intelligence, as required by artists and designers, is one type of modality, according to Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory. Copyright © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Further, Jia et al (2011) used fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging – a neuroimaging technique taking advantage of BOLD – or Blood Oxygen Level Dependent – changes to study the brain) to highlight neural correlates of numerical inductive reasoning. The researchers attest that there are two components to the process, namely identification and extrapolation. They report that the SPL (Superior Parietal Lobule) extending into the precuneus, and the left DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) were involved in both components. Brain anatomy is discussed in more detail elsewhere.

On the one hand, Gullick et al. (2010) suggest that individual differences in academic achievement in such areas as mathematics, may be caused by dissimilarities in working memory and intelligence. As a rule, the frontal and parietal lobes have been documented as processing numbers. On the other hand, in their study, symbolic number processing was associated with bilateral parietal, temporal and right frontal regions activity.

Additionally, Stout and colleagues (2011) wondered about the neuronal substrates of Early Stone Age toolmaking. Human evolution has correlated with brain expansion, and although there is obviously no prehistorical cortical imaging data, the group carried a positron emission tomography experiment in today’s day and age. The results portrayed enhanced activation of the ventral premotor and inferior parietal elements of the parietofrontal praxis circuits bilaterally, as well as famous Broca’s area in the right hemisphere, during advanced tool craftsmanship.

The brain has often been called the most complex object in the world. While much remains to be discovered, neuroscientists worldwide are relentlessly shedding light on the mysterious, physical workings of the mind. Finally, the reader is referred to other articles and videos examining the neural correlates of cognition, thought, memory, emotion, love, happiness, beauty and decision making.

In addition to these initial seven modalities (spatial, linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal and musical), naturalistic and existential intelligences were later added to the list. Image: Copyright © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

References:

• Gullick, M. M., Sprute, L. A. and Temple, E. (2010). Individual differences in working memory, non-verbal IQ and mathematics achievement and brain mechanisms associated with symbolic and non-symbolic number processing. Learning and Individual Differences: 1-11.
• Jia, X., Liang, P., Lu, J., Yang, Y., Zhong, N. and Li, K. (2011). Common and dissociable neural correlates associated with component processes of inductive reasoning. NeuroImage, 56: 2292-9.
• Narr, K. L., Woods, R. P., Thompson, P. M., Szeszko, P., Robinson, D., Dimtcheva, T., Gurbani, M., Toga, A. W. and Bilder, R. M. (2007). Relationships between IQ and regional cortical gray matter thickness in healthy adults. Cerebral Cortex, 17: 2164-71.
• Stout, D., Toth, N., Schick, K. and Chaminade, T. (2011). Neural correlates of Early Stone Age toolmaking: Technology, language and cognition in human evolution. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 363: 1939-49.