Broadcast Outage: We're investigating a broadcast transmission failure affecting the San Luis Valley from Antonito in the south to Salida in the north. We're working to resolve this issue. You can stream our live broadcast HERE or via the RMPBS+ App.

Stream live and on-demand content now on our new app:

RMPBS+

Donate

Help tell more stories in 2026 - make a year-end gift!

Be Smart show's poster

Science and Nature

Why Do We Have to Sleep

Join Joe Hanson as he explores curiosity and illuminates the science behind… well, everything.

Why Do We Have to Sleep

Season 3 Episode 48 | 7m 54s

Why do we sleep? We spend a third of our lives in slumber, but science has yet to determine exactly why we have do it. Here’s a look at how sleep works, why we’re not getting enough sleep, what happens if you DON’T sleep, and an idea about where sleep came from in the first place.

share

Be Smart

Watch more episodes

The Strange Science of the Placebo Effect

How do sugar pills really interact with our bodies?

The Surprising Places We Waste Energy

We use a LOT of energy, but we waste a lot too.

Are Dinosaurs Extinct?

Dinosaurs are alive and well today and you don’t have to go to Jurassic World to see them.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Get trusted Colorado stories, programs, and events from Rocky Mountain PBS straight to your inbox.

Set Your Preferences >