Sleep After Learning Can Enhance Your Memory

At a Glance:

Experts have long known that there is an important link between sleep and learning
Sleep deprived mice experienced less dendritic growth than well-rested mice after a learning task
Deep sleep results in actual physical changes in the brain
Trying to learn something new? Have a big exam coming up? New research suggests that sleep plays a pivotal role in your brain's ability to learn new information.
Learn first, then get a good night's sleep in order to encourage learning and memory retention.
One of the major explanations for why we sleep is known as the information consolidation theory, which suggests that one of the primary functions of sleep is to process information that has been acquired and stored throughout the day.

"We've known for a long time that sleep plays an important role in learning and memory. If you don't sleep well you won't learn well" a new study that explores the mechanisms behind this process.