SALT LAKE CITY -- Whether you're a parent, student, investment banker or even a clown -- chances are, you're probably not getting enough sleep.

But a new study suggests that your brain may be sneaking some snooze time without your permission -- even when you're wide awake. Researchers with the University of Wisconsin found this phenomenon -- a form of sleepwalking, if you will -- could explain why we have trouble functioning properly when sleep deprived.

In today's world, there always seems to be too much to do, and 24-hour days don't provide nearly enough time to check off all those things on your list. Most often, the homework assignment or scrubbing of the bathroom sink wins out over the desire to get some shut eye -- resulting in a hoarde of walking zombies.

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The FAA told a government watchdog nearly two years ago that it was prepared to let air traffic controllers sleep or rest during work shifts when they weren't directing aircraft. It still hasn't happened.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there's no "magic number" to determine how much sleep one needs in a 24-hour cycle to function with maximum efficiency. In fact, sleep needs are based primarily on the individual -- though age can play a part.

Most sleep experts recommend that the average, healthy adult needs anywhere from seven to nine hours of shut eye a night to be at the top of their game, mentally and physically. According to the National Institutes of Health, if we were given unlimited opportunity to hit the pillow, we'd stay snoozing for an average of 8 ½ hours.

But let's face it, most of us don't have unlimited time to sleep. We sleep where we can, when we can -- and probably rely a bit too much on caffeine to keep us going.

However, it appears our brains will do what they need to to get that rest, despite our best efforts.

In the study, published this month in the international journal Nature, a team of neuroscientists wired rats to an EEG machine -- a device used to create a picture of the electrical activity of the brain. The rats were kept awake for long periods of time and the scientists measured patterns of electrical activity in their brains.

What they found was nothing short of fascinating: after spending too much time "awake," certain neurons went "offline" -- meaning that though the rats were technically still conscious, parts of their brains were only half so.

"Although both EEG and behavior indicate wakefulness, local populations of neurons in the cortex may be falling asleep, with negative consequences for performance," researchers wrote.

Considering these findings, it's easy to see why it's not the smartest idea to get behind the wheel or operate heavy machinery after an all-nighter. On top of the safety hazards it presents, lack of sleep can increase the potential for obesity, diabetes, heart problems, depression and even drug use.

So do your brain a favor and go to bed early tonight.

Email: Jessica Ivins

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