Afternoon brain fog: MIT reveals why you ‘zone out’ midday and it is not because of boredom or laziness

New MIT research reveals sleep deprivation causes brain fluid waves to intrude into wakefulness, leading to attention lapses. This “brain cleaning” process, normally during deep sleep, sacrifices alertness when you are awake. These micro-failures impact daily life, from forgetting names to unsafe driving. Prioritising sleep is crucial for cognitive function and brain health.