About Aloke Mukherjee: Why do we sleep—an insight into its necessity?

About Aloke Mukherjee: Why do we sleep—an insight into its necessity?: Sleep is a complex phenomenon at psycho-physiological level. The sleep can be best defined as reduced state of consciousness or absence of ...

Why do we sleep—an insight into its necessity?

Sleep is a complex phenomenon at psycho-physiological level. The sleep can be best defined as reduced state of consciousness or absence of it. In this state, the inability of voluntary muscles, decreased ability react to external stimuli, heightened anabolism are caused. As a result,                                                                                                                                   the energy is conserved. The control of sleep timing, body temperature- fluctuation, release of enzymes is done by Circadian Clock. The brain releases Adenosine, a sort neurotransmitter, which inhibits wakefulness. In all diurnal animals, sleepiness causes release of certain hormones and gradual reduction of body temperature.

But why do we sleep at all? Whether it is necessary for our physical and mental well-being? On the evidences so long gathered, researchers on sleep propounded several theories. We may go through them for a better understanding of sleep. 1) We need sleep to conserve our energy as during sleep we remain still except those involuntary movements. As such, there is 10% reduction in body temperature and demand of calorie in the case of human beings. 2) There is another theory which suggests it is for our survival during the process of evolution because at the times when we are most vulnerable, we go to sleep in a cozy dark nook. But this theory hardly holds from the view of security.3) Sleep gives us an opportunity for repair and rejuvenation of our body and mind. The functions like tissue repair, muscle growth, protein synthesis and release of growth hormone take place during sleep. It also re-enlivens cognitive power of brain. During wakefulness the brain releases Adenosine which is cleared off when we are asleep. So we become alert after sleep. Part of our cognitive process takes place during sleep. While acquisition and recall of information happens during wakefulness, the consolidation of it occurs during sleep. Association of different types of memory with different types of brain waves has also been identified.

So how long we should sleep to keep ourselves fit? It varies with the individuals. Best thing would be determine ones’ own required  period of sleep  by testing how much sleep much sleep make us fit and alert. It has been proven that inadequate sleep and oversleep are against our health and well-being  In this connection, we may cite one example of an experimentation carried out as far back as 1971. Phenomenon is called Yoganidra. Experiment was carried out on Swami Rama while he was in the state of

self-induced conscious deep sleep. electroencephalograph of waves in his brain was recorded. The yogi appeared to enter into various state of consciousness at will.  Near the conclusion of the test, he entered deep unconscious sleep though perfectly aware of the experiences during the period, his brain emitting slow delta wave. He could recall experiences during the sleep when he was in wakeful state again. The experiment shows such mastery of consciousness is possible to reduce the requirement of amount of sleep.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

About Aloke Mukherjee: The train on the track.

About Aloke Mukherjee: The train on the track.: I live in third world, may be second, I dunno. Some savant sitting in his university-office, big Ole daddy, divided earthly crust betwee...

I Rule The Midnight City

I have a chaise-longue beside my window
sitting on it, I rule the midnight city.

The stars and the whores, 
the occasional dogs barking into nights
-the pavement dwellers gazing onto the the sky, 
while they embrace their consorts-the night
tiptoes down the stairs.

The faith swerves in the room, 
shuddering in the hope of a rape-
a possible penetration and 
birth of a new life-a paradigm
of desire, hope and to be born again
into a night of stars which sent the 
angels of light to touch and see
the man on the chair. 

The train on the track.

I live in third world, may be second, I dunno.

Some savant sitting in his university-office, big

Ole daddy, divided earthly crust between ourselves.



I am one of the teeming millions, jostling in the

over-crowded trains, people hanging on the

door-handle. The train rolls on keeping us alive,

we move to and fro just to survive.I wish I could

derail the train to see what happens to my soul

in the cold night-train carrying souls in limbo.



In the fall, the fields are bare, nothing grows

Let us come deeper, in the entrails of life, burning

with hunger, with naked body, hands thrown up

in prayer. Do you smell the scent of soil? sweetened

with body's sudor-budding life for the next summer,

so I sow the poetry on the lonely fields. 

Aloke Mukherjee