You may be 40 years old, but could your brain already be showing signs of accelerated aging? New research involving more than 18,000 people suggests that the answer may depend on much more than genetics or your date of birth.

to better mental well-being.
4. Poor Sleep May Interfere With Important Brain Functions

Sleep is not simply a period when the brain switches off.

During sleep, the brain remains active, coordinating processes involved in memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and physiological recovery.

Deep sleep and other sleep stages support different aspects of brain function.

Research also suggests that sleep is involved in the movement and regulation of fluid within the brain, although the precise relationship between sleep and the clearance of potentially harmful substances in humans remains under investigation.

Poor or insufficient sleep can impair attention, learning, and memory.

Long-term sleep