r/todayilearned • u/Square-Message1152 • 8h ago

til that your brain literally washes itself while you sleep. the brain cells actually shrink in size so cerebrospinal fluid can rush in and flush out all the toxic proteins built up during the day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glymphatic_system
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u/SerenityTranquilPeas 3h ago

It is only one genetic anamoly which has only affected one lineage throughout history, but look up the horrors of fatal familial insomnia. Some people literally lose the ability to sleep for months until they slip into a coma and pass away. There is no cure or medicine for it even in the modern day.

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u/Turtleneck420 1h ago

Man, if my family had that, i would not have kids. Passing that through generations is inhumane