Tohoku University researchers find dreaming burns brain energy despite rising fuel
Scientists at Tohoku University report that neurons consume more energy than available during REM sleep on September 26, 2026.
Blood flow rises before dreaming starts
Blood supply to the brain begins increasing even before rapid eye movement sleep begins. This increase happens while the body remains mostly still and quiet.
Neuron energy levels drop unexpectedly
Immediately available energy measured as ATP then drops significantly during this stage. Researchers suggest neurons consume fuel faster than it can be replenished while processing information.
Brain adjusts to limited resources
The brain continues processing data even when energy is scarce by changing how it uses available resources. Scientists are still trying to understand how this energy budget works during different internal states.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.