“Sleep is like a dishwasher for your brain—skip it, and debris starts to stick .” — Someone who finally figured out how to get a solid 7 to 8 hours, after years of poor sleep
You’ve heard of the lymphatic system, but have you met its lesser-known cousin, the glymphatic system? This brain-cleaning crew only clocks in when you’re asleep—and it’s a big deal for healthy aging. The glymphatic system flushes out metabolic waste, including beta-amyloid, the protein linked to Alzheimer’s. Think of it as your brain’s night-shift janitor, scrubbing away the mental gunk so you can wake up clear-headed and sharp. Glymphatic draining works best during deep sleep, particularly in side-sleeping positions. Studies show that disrupted or poor-quality sleep interferes with this brain-cleaning process. That’s why chronic sleep deprivation doesn’t just make you cranky—it can speed up cognitive decline over time. The bottom line – You can’t biohack your way around sleep. No pill replaces what the glymphatic system does naturally—if you give it the time and conditions to do its job. Your brain does a lot for you— help it cleanse itself each night. Necessitating good sleep is a recurring theme throughout this blog on healthy longevity -it is sooooo important!!!
3 Easy Action Steps:
- Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night. Your brain needs it more than your inbox does.
- Sleep on your side. It’s been shown to be the most efficient position for glymphatic flow.
- Avoid heavy meals, watching TV or scrolling device screens, and alcohol before bed. They disrupt deep sleep and slow down your brain’s cleanup crew.
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