Sleep Study Finds Brain Stays Partially Awake In New Environments

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Several people struggle with sleep when they are in a new bed. Whether it's at a hotel or visiting relatives, that first night of sleep isn't always very sound.

Now, a new study looks at why it is we don't sleep well in unfamiliar beds.

Researchers from Brown University studied brain activity of 35 young, healthy people during deep sleep.

They found during the first night of sleep in an unusual place, the left hemisphere of the brain seems to be somewhat alert. They called it a sort of "night watch."

Researchers said the environment is so new to us, and we're most vulnerable when we are asleep, that our brains try to partially stay awake and protect us.

This is similar to animals like whales, dolphins and birds.