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Sleep Pressure Management

Meaning

Sleep pressure management is the conscious, strategic control of the homeostatic drive for sleep, which is physiologically known as Process S, to optimize the timing, depth, and restorative quality of nocturnal rest. This clinical strategy centers on regulating the accumulation and subsequent clearance of somnogenic substances, primarily the neuromodulator adenosine, which progressively builds up during the waking hours and promotes sleep onset. Effective management is critical for robustly synchronizing the sleep-wake cycle with the body’s circadian rhythm, thereby supporting optimal hormonal secretion and peak cognitive function.