FOXNews Health | 10 hours ago | Health
A study conducted by Penn Medicine has challenged the purported benefits of sound machines, particularly “pink noise”. The findings reveal that pink noise, instead of promoting relaxation and sleep as previously thought, actually disrupts deep sleep and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep cycles. These cycles are crucial for memory consolidation and overall wellbeing.
Pink noise generates sounds at a lower frequency than white noise and is often marketed as a relaxing and sleep-inducing tool. It was previously believed to contribute to better sleep quality, but this recent study disputes these claims. An insufficient amount of deep and REM sleep can lead to significant cognitive impairments, affecting memory and problem-solving capabilities.
On the other hand, the study validated the effectiveness of earplugs in facilitating healthier sleep cycles. The use of earplugs was proven to be instrumental in blocking out unwanted noise, which could potentially interfere with the user's sleep quality. The simplicity and effectiveness of this solution highlight the need for a reassessment of widely-held beliefs about sleep aids, specifically noise machines.
The findings cast doubts on the benefits of sound machines and underline the importance of deep sleep and REM sleep in promoting cognitive health. Further research is needed in the area of sleep aids to ensure they truly benefit users and contribute to, rather than harm, their overall wellbeing. The result also implies that the benefits of relatively less sophisticated solutions, like earplugs, should not be underestimated and may, in fact, prove more helpful.