Texas (Web Desk) — Scientists at the University of Texas in the United States have developed an advanced wearable patch that may help people enter REM sleep more quickly and spend more time in this stage without surgery or medication.
According to researchers, the device, called Neosleep, contains electrical electrodes that monitor brain activity in real time. The technology targets deep areas of the brain associated with REM sleep while continuously monitoring the brain’s response.
Scientists tested the device on 28 people, and the results were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. According to the study, people using the patch entered REM sleep an average of 43 minutes earlier and spent about 16 minutes longer in this stage. This effect was observed not only in healthy individuals but also among participants experiencing sleep-related problems.
Participants described the patch as comfortable, while its side effects during the experiments were also minor.
The study also found that the use of ultrasound produced certain changes in the body related to the regulation of stress. A significant increase in heart rate variability was observed in healthy individuals, which is associated with the body’s ability to cope with and respond to stress. Brain imaging also recorded changes in areas of the brain associated with emotional processing.
According to researchers, disruption of REM sleep has been linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, making these findings significant.
However, scientists clarified that extensive further research is necessary before Neosleep can be used as a regular medical treatment.