DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2022.v10i10.011

Pages: 1647-1663

Sleep is one of the attributes of wellness that needs further research and is often neglected in all disciplines of medicine except Psychiatry. The important aspects of sleep are Rapid Eye movement (REM) sleep, Non- Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep and Dreaming. This review mentions the fundamental processes of sleep, the causes of sleep deprivation and dreaming. The physiological changes that occur through sleep are discussed along with medications aids in sleeping and the substances that affect or change the sleep pattern. The common factors associated with sleeplessness are emotional or mental tension, anxiety, depression, work problems, and an unsatisfactory sex life. Sleep medicine as a recent branch of medicine is reviewed as well as the use of Plant Medicine to deal with sleep disorders. Common substances used to induce sleep are hypnotic sedatives, and over the counter medications such as Benadryl and Nyquil. Alcohol is also used as a sleep aid. Herbal medicines are also commonly used as sleep aids. How sleep medication affects then biological pathways of man is emphasized (The Biochemistry of Sleep). Two hypothetical enzymes are proposed for the Biochemical Pathway starting with tryptophan and terminating in melatonin, a known sleep hormone. The two hypothetical enzymes proposed are 5-hydroxytryptophan synthetase and 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase. The major problems associated with insufficient in the society is explained as well as the causes of sleep deprivation in this modern civilization. Some of the behavioral changes in the society that have contributed to sleep problems are shift work, increased work hours and extensive socialization.