Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 9: Even a short afternoon nap can help the brain recover and improve its ability to learn, a new study published in NeuroImage has suggested, reinforcing the idea that sleep plays an active role in brain health rather than being a passive state of rest.
Researchers said the brain remains highly active throughout the day, processing new impressions and information, which strengthens connections between nerve cells, known as synapses. Over time, however, this heightened activity can lead to saturation, reducing the brain’s capacity to absorb new information. Sleep helps regulate this excess activity without erasing important memories.
The study found that short sleep periods, such as an afternoon nap, can reorganise synaptic connections and return the brain to a state of readiness to learn. This process was earlier believed to occur only after a full night’s sleep. “Our results suggest that even short periods of sleep enhance the brain’s capacity to encode new information,” said Christoph Nissen, professor and chief physician at the University Hospital of Geneva.
The research involved 20 healthy adults with an average age of 25, who either napped or stayed awake on two afternoons. Those who napped slept for an average of 45 minutes. Using non-invasive techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG, researchers observed that synaptic strength decreased after a nap, a marker of restorative sleep, while the brain’s ability to form new connections improved significantly.
Experts not involved in the study noted that the findings highlight changes in brain physiology rather than direct improvements in productivity. They cautioned that while naps improve “brain readiness”, the study did not measure learning speed or memory performance in real-world tasks.
Beyond learning, other studies have linked short naps to health benefits. A 2023 study from Spain found that people who napped for 30 minutes or less had a lower risk of high blood pressure compared to non-nappers. Short naps have also been associated with improved memory, alertness, emotional regulation and creativity.
However, researchers warned against longer naps. The same Spanish study found that naps exceeding 30 minutes were linked to higher body weight and increased risk of high blood pressure and blood sugar. A 2024 meta-analysis also associated longer naps with higher risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Experts stressed that naps should complement, not replace, a healthy night-time sleep routine. They advised keeping naps short and ensuring adequate sleep of at least seven hours at night for overall health and cognitive well-being.