Sleep Isn’t a Fade—It’s a Sudden Plunge, Scientists Reveal
Falling asleep is not a slow drift but a sudden plunge, according to new research. Scientists have discovered that the brain’s transition from wakefulness to sleep happens abruptly, much like stepping off a cliff. This finding challenges the long-held belief that sleep onset is a gradual process. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, reveals that brain activity remains steady until the final moments before sleep. Then, within minutes, a sharp decline occurs, marking the shift into unconsciousness. Researchers describe this as a ‘sleep distance’—a measurable gap between being awake and fully asleep. The discovery reshapes how sleep onset is understood. Instead of a slow fade, the brain crosses a clear threshold before sleep takes hold. This insight opens doors for medical advances and safer sleep practices in everyday life.
