• Question: Why we can't sleep like dolphins? With half of brain awake and half no?

    Asked by Sofia Masiello to Carmen, Laura, Noel, Steph on 18 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Laura Garcia Ibanez

      Laura Garcia Ibanez answered on 18 Mar 2015:

      I am not a brain expert, but when we sleep our brain is very awake. It has to make sure all the vital functions such as breathing, pumping blood, digest food, transport nutrients to the whole body and collection of waste are still carried out when sleeping. Cheers Sofia!

    • Photo: Carmen Denman

      Carmen Denman answered on 20 Mar 2015:

      Hi Sofia,
      I read the article that describes the wakeful dolphin brain. Basically they have evolved this half brain awake while the other half is switched off (they can rotate between the two). They have evolved to be this way as a survival technique, researchers think it is linked to their constant watch for sharks (their only real predator besides man). We are top predators really so no need for us to have half a brain awake. This doesn’t mean our brains are not constantly processing and dreaming while we sleep! Just not on the same alter level.
      Cheers!
      Carmen

Comments