The Science of Sleep

Human beings sleep through one-third of their lives, yet why we sleep is one of the biggest unanswered questions of science. In the fascinating article from 60 Minutes, Leslie Stahl explores all of the latest scientific findings about the reasons for -- and functions of sleep.

Here is a sampling of what she found after talking with sleep researchers from across the U.S.

• You can die from sleep deprivation, just like you can die from being deprived of food.
• Sleep can actually enhance your memories.
• A single night of sleeping just four, five, or even six hours can impact your ability to think clearly.
• Sleep deprivation can cause changes in your brain activity similar to those experienced by people with psychiatric disorders.
• Sleep deprivation puts your body into a pre-diabetic state, and makes you feel hungry, even if you've already eaten.

CBS News March 16, 2008