Research on Mitochondria Provides Answers on Why We Have to Sleep

I’ve been living with ME/CFS for years and this really hit home as one of its hallmark symptoms is sleep dysfunction and post exertion malaise or fatigue. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a huge part of what we go through—it’s not just tiredness, it’s like the cells can’t make energy properly. ME/CFS is a complex neuroimmune disease that leaves many of us bedbound and severely limited by even small amounts of exertion. It’s frustrating how little awareness there is. Seeing videos like this gives me hope that science is getting closer to understanding what’s actually happening in diseases like mine. Edit: I'm not looking for any medical advice here. I've got this covered with my specialist doctors, thanks.

I love how every few years, research says “hey, that really complex system we thought we understood is WAY more complex than we thought!”

I was told in my younger days by some psych teacher that a person needs rest not necessarily sleep. Then I got older and suffered sleep deprivation and my body and mind told me that there is a kind of rest you can only get from sleep.

We're just the meatbags used for mitochondrial survival.

I’ve always been a 9 to 10 hr sleeper. Deep sleeper. Then it turned into 10-14hrs sleep. Then found out I had Graves’ disease. 18 months later after taking anti thyroid drugs, for a good year I could only sleep 5 hours. Now that my thyoid is almost normal I’m sleeping 7-9hrs but not as deep as I used to. It amazes me how quick a dog wakes up from a deep sleep, compared to us humans.

0:18 HE SAID IT!

by fixing my sleep I was able to start fixing many of my other problems with anxiety and overweight. Diet and exercise are in fact super important, but you can't find energy or clarity of mind to get into new routines or break bad habits if you have also bad sleep. Now, I'm exited to see how science is closer to explain why breathing exercises and meditation help in this regard too.

Anton, you've brought me answers to so many questions which have lingered in my mind for ages. You're improving the understanding of so many people. You truly are a wonderful person, thank you.

COVID-19 research showed that exposure to near-infrared light helps mitochondria by stimulating production of melatonin which is involved in cleaning up those reactive oxygen species. So, exposure to morning and afternoon sunlight as well as sleep are important to mitochondrial health.

Ugh...this channel is so soothing. Anton's voice is so quiet, he speaks at a comfortable speed, and he talks about fun science stuff. I can feel the stress of my past week slowly falling away...