At this point, everyone knows that restful, restorative sleep is absolutely essential for getting (and maintaining) a healthy, strong physique. But now we’re getting an idea of exactly why sleep matters to your muscles—and as it happens, your muscles might matter for your sleep, too. In a scientific study, which was done at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, researchers focused on sleep disorders in mice and inadvertently discovered that a certain protein found in muscles (dubbed BMAL1), helps regulate sleep duration and quality. When the mice were sleep deprived, the mice with plenty of BMAL1 in their muscles weren’t as affected as those mice with lower levels of BMAL1. And when the scientists took the protein out of mice muscles completely, those rodents suffered from severely disturbed sleep—they were sleepier and recovered more slowly. The study authors believe the discovery could lead to treatments that could help people in jobs that demand extended periods of wakefulness—airline pilots, security guards, soldiers, and medical professionals, for example. “This finding is completely unexpected and changes the ways we think sleep is controlled,” said Joseph S. Takahashi, Ph.D., chairman of neuroscience at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “These studies show that factors in muscles can signal to the brain to influence sleep. If similar pathways exist in people, this would provide new drug targets for the treatment of sleep disorders,” he said. Before that future super-awesome sleep drugs arrives, do yourself a favor and make your nightly respite the best it can be by abstaining from alcohol or caffeine a few hours before bed, keep your room cool and dark, and limit screen time before hitting the sack. Your body, and muscles, will respond with increased vigor.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
The Best Mindfulness Apps for 2023, According to Experts
Work on That Core With The Vinsguir Ab Roller in Your Home
Fuel Up For Your Workouts With Core Power Protein Shakes
Best Testosterone Booster: Top 5 Supplements For Men of 2023
Best Green Powders of 2023 to Boost Your Health
Fortify Your Body With The Optimum Nutrition Multivitamin
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
At this point, everyone knows that restful, restorative sleep is absolutely essential for getting (and maintaining) a healthy, strong physique.
But now we’re getting an idea of exactly why sleep matters to your muscles—and as it happens, your muscles might matter for your sleep, too.
In a scientific study, which was done at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, researchers focused on sleep disorders in mice and inadvertently discovered that a certain protein found in muscles (dubbed BMAL1), helps regulate sleep duration and quality. When the mice were sleep deprived, the mice with plenty of BMAL1 in their muscles weren’t as affected as those mice with lower levels of BMAL1. And when the scientists took the protein out of mice muscles completely, those rodents suffered from severely disturbed sleep—they were sleepier and recovered more slowly.
The study authors believe the discovery could lead to treatments that could help people in jobs that demand extended periods of wakefulness—airline pilots, security guards, soldiers, and medical professionals, for example.
“This finding is completely unexpected and changes the ways we think sleep is controlled,” said Joseph S. Takahashi, Ph.D., chairman of neuroscience at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “These studies show that factors in muscles can signal to the brain to influence sleep. If similar pathways exist in people, this would provide new drug targets for the treatment of sleep disorders,” he said.
Before that future super-awesome sleep drugs arrives, do yourself a favor and make your nightly respite the best it can be by abstaining from alcohol or caffeine a few hours before bed, keep your room cool and dark, and limit screen time before hitting the sack. Your body, and muscles, will respond with increased vigor.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
The Best Mindfulness Apps for 2023, According to Experts
Work on That Core With The Vinsguir Ab Roller in Your Home
Fuel Up For Your Workouts With Core Power Protein Shakes
Best Testosterone Booster: Top 5 Supplements For Men of 2023
Best Green Powders of 2023 to Boost Your Health
Fortify Your Body With The Optimum Nutrition Multivitamin
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
The Best Mindfulness Apps for 2023, According to Experts
Work on That Core With The Vinsguir Ab Roller in Your Home
Fuel Up For Your Workouts With Core Power Protein Shakes
Best Testosterone Booster: Top 5 Supplements For Men of 2023
Best Green Powders of 2023 to Boost Your Health
Fortify Your Body With The Optimum Nutrition Multivitamin
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
The Best Mindfulness Apps for 2023, According to Experts
Work on That Core With The Vinsguir Ab Roller in Your Home
Fuel Up For Your Workouts With Core Power Protein Shakes
Best Testosterone Booster: Top 5 Supplements For Men of 2023
Best Green Powders of 2023 to Boost Your Health
Fortify Your Body With The Optimum Nutrition Multivitamin
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
