These feelings result from the secretion of a natural tranquillizer that the brain makes when it wants you
to go to sleep. According to researchers from Harvard Medical School, during sleep most brain cells are
“turned off” by a chemical signal sent out by a group of cells located in the hypothalamus, which is often
called the “brain’s brain.” This “turning off the lights” allows us go to sleep.
It seems that melatonin has a considerable influence over sleep induction, too, since the more we
secrete of it during the evening hours, the sleepier we become. Those individuals who no longer feel
sleepy around 9.30-10:00 p.m. suffer from a disturbed melatonin cycle.
Around 9:00 p.m., the body's level of immunity begins to decrease, as indicated by a sudden drop in
endorphins and corticosteroids—the body’s weapons against inflammation. During the Kapha period, the
body tries to save as much energy and as many physical resources as possible, for a very good reason, as
explained next.
The Second Pitta Cycle
The body “tempts” you to go to sleep before Pitta resumes its second round in the 24 hour period.
Pitta’s influence begins at 10:00 p.m. and lasts until 2:00 a.m.. During this time, the Pitta-energy is mostly
used for cleansing, rebuilding and rejuvenating the body. The liver—a typical Pitta organ—receives most
of the body’s energy at this time and conducts an astonishing range of activities, totaling over 500
different functions. These include the supply of vital nutrients and energy to all parts of the body, the
breaking down of noxious substances and the cleansing of the blood. In addition, the liver cells produce
bile at this time, which is needed to digest food, particularly fats, during the following day. One of the
most important of the liver’s functions is to synthesize proteins, which serve as the main building blocks
of cells, hormones and blood constituents. Because the liver is such an active organ, it uses a considerable
amount of energy. This organ's high metabolic rate produces a great deal of heat, making the liver the
main heat-producing organ in the body. However, if you keep disregarding the body's biological rhythms
and remain awake during this cycle, much less energy is available to carry out the liver's important
activities, and eventually decreased liver function, intrahepatic stones, and diminished health are the
result.
Why Proper Sleep Is So Important For You!
The liver requires all the energy it can get to meet all these and many other responsibilities. This can
only happen sufficiently, though, if you sleep during the Pitta nighttime. If you use up the liver's
nighttime energy by forcing it to digest food or by engaging in mental or physical activities, this vital
organ is left with too little energy to do its extremely crucial work. Most of the available Pitta-energy
should be directed to the liver and also, to a certain extent, to the kidneys. This helps the kidneys to filter
the blood plasma, to keep body fluids balanced and to maintain normal blood pressure.
Although the brain makes up merely one fiftieth of the body's mass, it generally contains more than
one quarter of the body’s entire blood content. However, during the Pitta period at night, most of the
blood located at the back of the brain moves into the liver for storage and purification. If you are mentally
or physically active at this time, the liver does not receive enough blood to function properly. It also
cannot cleanse the blood sufficiently. This results in the accumulation of toxic materials in the liver and
bloodstream. If toxins keep circulating in the blood, they will settle in the interstitial fluid (connective
tissues) of the organs and systems, thereby raising acidity and causing them damage. This includes the
liver. High blood toxicity can lead to the secretion of stress hormones, brain fog and injured capillaries,
arteries and heart muscles. Most heart diseases are the result of a poorly performing liver that is unable to