![]() ![]() Moreover, unfamiliar environments are suspected to decrease SWA specifically in the left brain hemisphere, resulting in higher hemispheric differences. For example, the perception of an unfamiliar sleep environment (known as the “first night effect”) typically reduces the amount of SWS. In addition to neurophysiological mechanisms, cognitive processes can also modulate the depth of sleep. The depth of sleep is also characterized via slow-wave activity (SWA EEG power in the 0.5–4.5 Hz band), which has been shown to be a valid marker of global sleep pressure as well as local sleep need, possibly linked to synaptic downscaling. The amount of deep sleep, referred to as slow-wave sleep (SWS), depends on prior wakefulness and declines with age. Sleep, in particular deep sleep, is important for our mental and physical health as well as numerous vital functions such as the immune and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, our results set the stage for the development of theory-driven, non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep in people with sleeping difficulties. Our results show that the semantic meaning of words presented during sleep is capable of affecting sleep physiology, SWS maintenance, and the subjective evaluation of sleep quality. In support of our theory, presentation of words related to the concept of “relaxation” during sleep significantly extended the time spent in SWS and increased subjective sleep quality. Here, we propose and test the theory that mental concepts activated during sleep can modulate sleep depth. Therefore, theories and interventions on how to non-pharmacologically extend SWS are highly requested. Sleep, in particular slow-wave sleep (SWS), is important for our physical and mental health. ![]()
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