Scientists found how deep sleep helps your body grow
Humans 2.0From: ScienceDaily · rewritten for kids by Osmo
Read the story
When you are in deep sleep, your body sends out growth hormone. It is a chemical messenger that helps build muscles and strong bones. Scientists already knew that too little sleep can mess this up, but not how the brain controls it. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found the brain cells in charge of releasing growth hormone during sleep. They also found that the hormone sends messages back to the brain.
Big word
hormone: A chemical messenger your body sends through your blood to tell parts of you what to do.
Quiz time: circle the right answer
1. What does growth hormone help build?AMuscles and bonesBHair colourCTeeth fillings
2. When does the body release growth hormone?ADuring deep sleepBWhile eating lunchCWhile watching TV
3. Which university did this sleep research?AUniversity of California, BerkeleyBUniversity of TokyoCUniversity of Delhi
Your turn
Make a bedtime chart: draw what you do in the hour before sleep, and circle one thing that helps you sleep deeply.
My question about this story