Emotion

The article Emotion covers an experiment that sets out not only to test if sleep helps decrease amygdala and behavioral reactivity of prior emotional experiences but also prove that there is a correlating action that decreases adrenergic levels during REM sleep. They tested their hypothesis using 34 healthy adults ranging from 18-30 years old and separated them into 2 groups a sleep group and a wake day group. The two groups each took two repeat fMRI where they viewed 150 pictures then rated their emotional intensity (1-5). After the experiment was complete they found that there was a decrease in amygdala reactivity in the sleep group but an increase in reactivity in the wake group throughout the day. These findings were also observed with the subjective reactivity associated with REM sleep with a decrease in adrenergic levels in the sleep group and an increase in the wake group.

What I liked about this study was that the experimenters seemed to be more focused on the details and the validity of the entire experiment. Adding the circadian control test and using multiple test sessions in order to make sure that the experiment will have the best chance of ending without any of the data having to be thrown out because of “technical difficulties”. I also thought it was interesting that they also found that sleep helps with memory consolidation as well. I always hear that if you study then sleep on it that you will retain more of what you studied, I never really considered that to be a good option but after reading this article I might give it a try.

This experiment is important to the general public because it proves that if you are feeling down or mad about anything all you need is a goodnight’s sleep and it can cause you to become more relaxed and not feel as strongly about the situation and reduce your blood glucose levels during your sleep helping to increase your quality of sleep throughout the night.