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How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

nytimes.com

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Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#11

Post by Natsu »

credo wrote: post #5

The report is interesting and it isn't surprising that partial sleep deprivation results in a cognitive deficit. I'd be more interested in understanding the long-term effects of insufficient sleep. Is the cognitive deficit a temporary problem that goes away after a few days (or more of) sufficient sleep OR will sustained lack of sleep (over a long period) result in a long-term problem that persists even after the sub…

In rats, at least, absolutely no sleep over something like a month resulted in death. That scenario was completely unnatural, though. They had to be kept awake with electric shocks or something, so I don't think people are physically capable of going without sleep for that long, unless someone is tormenting them.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#12

Post by JohnAllen »

I can tell if I've slept less than 8 hours; I can barely function with anything less than 7; add 30-60 minutes if I've exercised intensely the previous day.

The report makes it seem like even if people don't realize it, their performance suffers. I've always been jealous of those that could seemingly sleep for however much time was convenient but not anymore!

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#13

Post by michaelcampbell »

petercooper wrote: post #8
torstesu wrote: post #3

It would have been really interesting to see if power naps had any effect on the performance of the subjects that were deprived of sleep. My personal experience is that 15 minutes in the horizontal position improves my awareness and performance. An additional hack is to drink an espresso the moment before you take your power nap - the effect of the caffeine will kick in in about 15 minutes after consumption.

Or the "siesta" style of sleep generally. That is, the pattern of having a nap in the day and a shorter nighttime sleep.

I've tried a bi-phasic sleep cycle (2 short sleep cycles; 3-4 hours a "day" each time, with a 3-6 hour wake cycle in between) for a few weeks. It worked well enough for me, but with a 10 year old at home, I just couldn't make the timing work out.

I'm one that needs at least 8 hours a night; 9 is better.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#14

Post by kunjaan »

thebooktocome wrote: post #7

I've completely stopped going without sleep this since the last semester ended. Of course, we'll see if we last through the next semester... The thing I've noticed is that I have way more free time than I thought I did, because I wasn't explicitly thinking about things in terms of "hmm, I have five hours before bed, I should probably do X". Also, melatonin supplements are my friend. :)

"I've completely stopped going without sleep this since the last semester ended"

That is a lie.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#16

Post by killerdark »

I found a site that lets you do a psychomotor vigilance task (P.V.T) and gives you a report: http://www.wellcomecollection.org/tiredness/index.html

I think I'll use it to test myself, I'll clock my sleeping hours and plot it against the test results. After a few weeks I should be able to see some pattern emerging.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#17

Post by baddox »

thebooktocome wrote: post #7

I've completely stopped going without sleep this since the last semester ended. Of course, we'll see if we last through the next semester... The thing I've noticed is that I have way more free time than I thought I did, because I wasn't explicitly thinking about things in terms of "hmm, I have five hours before bed, I should probably do X". Also, melatonin supplements are my friend. :)

Another grateful melatonin user here. That stuff got me through college, and I've successfully recommended it to friends (mostly the stereotypical geeks like myself who, left to their own devices, will keep pushing back bedtime a couple of hours every day ad infinitum). Just prepare yourself for some strange dreams for the first couple of months.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#18

Post by pamelafox »

I often get told that I don't sleep enough (more like 6 than 8, if that), but for me, my dreams get stranger the longer I sleep, and my day is happier if I can wake up without strange dreams lingering in my head. For example, last night I slept about 8 hours (probably due to wine the night before), and my final dream involved me trying to evade certain death in a circus. I'd prefer to start off my day on cheerier notes. :)

I don't use an alarm as I believe in waking up when your body wants you to, after its natural cycles end. Or at least, thats what usually works for me.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#19

Post by killerdark »

kunjaan wrote: post #14
thebooktocome wrote: post #7

I've completely stopped going without sleep this since the last semester ended. Of course, we'll see if we last through the next semester... The thing I've noticed is that I have way more free time than I thought I did, because I wasn't explicitly thinking about things in terms of "hmm, I have five hours before bed, I should probably do X". Also, melatonin supplements are my friend. :)

"I've completely stopped going without sleep this since the last semester ended" That is a lie.

It's a messy sentence, but not necessarily a lie.

Re: How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With?

#20

Post by jarin »

Strangely enough, I've found that since I increased my caffeine intake (to around 900-1200mg/day via energy drinks) I've been sleeping great. I usually go to sleep around 10pm, wake up naturally around 3am, and take a 1 hour nap around 3 pm. I've been drinking a lot of water as well, and I've had no problems focusing on work. I think the nap is the key though.
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