Sleep, Autonomic Systems & the Unconscious Brain — Neuroscience for Dummies Chapter 11 Summary: ANS, Circadian Rhythms & Sleep Disorders
Sleep, Autonomic Systems & the Unconscious Brain — Neuroscience for Dummies Chapter 11 Summary: ANS, Circadian Rhythms & Sleep Disorders Welcome to another chapter breakdown from Last Minute Lecture , where we transform complex textbooks into clear, podcast-style summaries. In Chapter 11 of Neuroscience for Dummies (3rd Edition) , we explore the systems that operate beneath conscious awareness—from heart rate regulation to sleep cycles. This chapter covers the autonomic nervous system (ANS) , homeostasis , circadian rhythms , and the neuroscience of sleep—including common sleep disorders and the role of REM in memory and brain health. The Autonomic Nervous System: Life on Autopilot The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary body functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. It has two main branches: Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates the “fight or flight” response, increasing alertness, heart rate, and blood flow to muscles. Parasympat...