Lung Detox Minus Good Sleep = Fail! Find Out Why

Sleep is known as the third pillar of good health, along with the right food (in the right quantities) and regular exercise. But how many of us actually make sure we get enough good sleep, and do you have any idea how lack of sleep (known as a sleep debt) can not only reduce your chances of a successful quit attempt, but also a successful Lung Detox?

Why You Need Good Sleep

Sleep is important not only for your mind, but your body too. While you sleep, your brain picks through the stronger memories of your day, moving them from short term to long term memory. For the average person, 8 hours is the optimal sleeping period. That is made up of 3 hours of light sleep – sorting time – three hours of deep sleep – where memories moved to long term memory – and 2 hours of dreaming – sort out problems time. Dreams, of course, aren’t always obviously sorting out problems playing on your mind, because the subconscious works quite differently from the conscious, logical mind.

During this time, the body is also very busy. It is digesting, storing energy, increasing muscle mass (if you exercised during the day) and your immune system is busy, repairing and protecting your body. As your immune system plays a central role in clearing your lungs this is very important for a Lung Detox. Without enough good sleep, a lung detox is likely to take longer, or may not work at all.

So If We Don’t Get Enough Good Sleep, What Effects Does It Have?

A recent study of a man who was trying to get by on 3 hours sleep a night showed up some rather startling effects after just a few days.

Co-ordination and memory problems, balance problems while practicing martial arts.

Drop in reflexes, many micro-sleeps (those momentary losses of consciousness that can kill

on long trips) during a driving test.

In memory and comprehension tests, he failed almost every time.

On doing blood tests on this daring man, it was found that:

a. His insulin production had dropped by half! (Type II pre-diabetes anyone?)

b. His levels of PYY production (the gut hormone that makes you feel full/sated) were down by 40%. This may represent a link between sleep debt and overeating.

c. His immune function had also dropped by 50%! This is the big one, because it opens a sleep-deprived person up to infection. It is also reduced his ability to clean and repair his organs, which is especially important during a Lung Detox.