Professor of psychiatry Dan Siegel from the University in Los Angeles, California, School of Medicine, conducted a study on how using a cell phone just before sleeping affects our body and brain.
Dr. Siegel says that when you look at a cell phone, the light from the screen alerts your brain to stay awake, and prevents it from secreting melatonin, leading you to stay awake for a longer period of time.
The professor explained that sleep allows your active neurons to rest, while the supportive cells, known as the Glial Cells, clean up the toxins that the neurons produce, and when you fail to sleep from at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep, the toxins remain there, for over 95% of people (a small number of people who are genetically different do not need that much sleep).
Consequently, Dr. Siegel said that lack of sleep will make your attention falter, your memory impaired, your ability to think through problems becomes challenged, your insulin that helps regulate your metabolism is turned upside down, making you more likely to gain weight from what you eat.
As for Dr. Siegel’s advice, shut off your screens at least an hour before going to sleep.