Sleep and memory

Forgetfulness is a common complaint of people who do not get enough sleep, whether it is due to sleep deprivation from an overly busy schedule or the result of insomnia. People often find that it is more difficult both to learn and remember things when they are unable to achieve sufficient sleep on a regular basis. Although recorded observations about the benefits of sleep on memory date back to ancient Rome, recent research has provided exciting evidence related to different types of memory and the role sleep can perform in learning and memory consolidation. Research findings now suggest that different types of sleep can affect different types of memory. It appears that sleep also can influence emotional aspects of our memory. Some studies¹ even suggest that certain types of memory can be enhanced during sleep with instrumentation capable of promoting greater slow wave activity.