Our cycles of wakefulness and sleepiness depend mainly on

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Our cycles of wakefulness and sleepiness depend mainly on cyclic activity generated within the brain itself. The brain has an internal circadian clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. This clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus and sends signals to other parts of the brain to promote wakefulness or sleepiness at appropriate times. Hormones such as melatonin also play a role in regulating sleep, but they are ultimately controlled by the brain's circadian clock. Heart rate and blood pressure may be affected by sleep, but do not directly regulate our sleep-wake cycle. Detection of changes in the magnetic field is not known to play a role in sleep-wake regulation.

Our Cycles of Wakefulness and Sleepiness Depend Mainly on