Biochemical Aspects of Sleep

What is sleep?

If we view that there are three states of consciousness; waking, dreaming and sleeping, each projecting a different worldview, then sleep can be defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. In this state, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli.

From an evolutionary point of view, sleep is an involutionary state that maintains variety of functions such as:

• Restorative, integrative and healing functions for the body, emotions, sexuality, membership/interpersonal and rational/mental self.
• As a recuperative function for the self-system.

This sleep state is so fully integrated into our identity and is such a natural state that we enter into it on a regular basis. It is part of our evolutionary past in that sleep reconnects us with the formative, foundational aspects of our self-identity. It fulfils the functional purposes of biochemical maintenance and physiological recuperation, which are vital for sustaining our health and well-being.