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What It’s Like to Need Hardly Any Sleep

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Re: What It’s Like to Need Hardly Any Sleep

#121

> Nobody knows exactly how many true “short sleepers” exist, but estimates put it at one percent of the population. So the first documented case of it was in 2009, but "estimates" think it affects 1/100 people? Who can take these numbers seriously?

Agreed. Far too many weasel words in one statement.

Re: What It’s Like to Need Hardly Any Sleep

#122

I really wish I had that trait, but instead I have the exact opposite. I often need about twelve hours to feel fully rested, and even then usually require a coffee or two to feel productive. Some people suggested recently that maybe I have sleep apnea, so I'm planning to try a sleep study sometime soon.

Schedule an appointment with your Doctor ASAP.

Don't wait until you are told you snore or that you wake up a bunch. I don't stop breathing, but my breathing slows down to a point that my oxygenation levels get crazy low.

I'm still in the first month with a CPAP, but the nights that I can tolerate it, I'm waking up in a much better mood, and feel far more refreshed.

Your results may vary, but don't hesitate to get checked out!

Re: What It’s Like to Need Hardly Any Sleep

#123
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard of both of these theories (cleanse and consolidation) but it's kind of strange how the first sentence of the abstract is "The purpose of sleep remains mysterious." If the researchers have any confidence in their work, why are they using this language? Why not "sleep is not as mysterious" or "sleep is no longer mysterious"?

My point was more that somebody very likely knows the truth (and believes it to be the truth,) even if we don't know who that person is.

That is a foolish assumption.

It's also a very weak definition of "know".

Re: What It’s Like to Need Hardly Any Sleep

#124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hmm, as far as hangovers she says "Does drinking impact your sleep? I don’t get hangovers. If I overdo it and I get a headache, that’s saying a lot. Most people in their 40s are sick for a day and a half. If I drink too much, then I may go to bed at two and get up at six — maybe I get an extra hour’s sleep!" Severe alcoholics often don't get a full night of sleep because they wake up when the depressant effect of the…

> Severe alcoholics often don't get a full night of sleep > because they wake up when the depressant effect of the > alcohol wears off ... the same reason people shake in > the mornings I don't think I'd have ever classified myself as an alcoholic, although I used to drink a lot, and now I drink nothing. For a while, I ran a party-promoting business and held down a job as a programmer at the same time, typically goin…

>I can't imagine a "severe alcoholic" running out of alcohol in the blood stream overnight.

Well, it's the reason for delirium tremens. Alcohol doesn't have to be zero to cause morning withdrawal - just less than whatever your body is accustomed to.

As far as amount metabolized per hour, I believe that increases with habituation and tolerance.

Myself, I was hardly an alcoholic - just hanging out with one, and he'd entice me to a bar each and every night for 2-7 beers. Waking up as described was my experience.

Re: What It’s Like to Need Hardly Any Sleep

#125
post #57
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do it. Seriously. I can't believe the change in my life since discovering (in my 40s!) that I've suffered from sleep apnea my entire teen/adult life.

Out of curiosity, in which ways did your life change? How did you adjust or what do you do differently now that you know?

I never notice when my comments are replied to! Sorry for the delay:

The biggest change is that I used to get migraines from lack of sleep (even while sleeping 8-10 hours plus occasional naps). Now I can get 6 a night continuously and be more alert. But most importantly my quality of life improved drammatically on account of having probably 30 hours a week of migraine-hours removed.

I still occasionally get lack-of-sleep-migraines, but they are rare, and are usually well deserved (I have three children, a puppy, and an unwillingness to give up 'alone time' in order to sleep enough. It's a bad combination).

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