Polyphasic Sleep

RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
<div class="IPBDescription">aka Uberman's sleep schedule</div> Something came to my attention tonight, that I had never really thought about. One of my friends mentionned something called the Uberman's sleep schedule. It seemed interesting so I looked it up.

Basically it consists of taking 20-30mn naps every 4h. This means you only sleep about 2-3h a day, but all that sleep takes place in the REM stage, which scientists claim to be the essential stage of sleep. In fact in the regular 8h sleep pattern most people tend to follow, only one and a half hours is actually REM.

The disadvantage of this method, is that it is very inconvinient in most work environments. However, it does have the obvious advantage of gaining at least 5h of time per day. Your dreams are also much more intense and lucid, since your brain moves directly in and out of REM. People who have tried this schedule add that they feel very much more awake and capable than before.

One of the problems with this, is getting accustomed to this pattern. It takes about two weeks, and they are two very painful weeks. Its said that Leonardo DaVinci and Thomas Jefferson used this method and benifited from it.

You can read more about this over <a href='http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/4/15/103358/720' target='_blank'>here</a>, or try Googling it.

Anyway, I was considering trying it myself and wondering if any of you have tried it or heard interesting stuff about it?

Comments

  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    Hmm, sounds very interesting, but it'd never work for me. I can't, no matter how much i want to, ever force myself to sleep. I only ever sleep when my body needs it, be it 6pm or 6am. This is an extremely annoying thing if i want to get some sleep on a train journey or on a flight just to pass the time as i just cannot make myself fall asleep.
  • Marik_SteeleMarik_Steele To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
    I'd start doing it in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the lack of long-term-effects research. Coil & others with medical inclinations, got any relevant info?
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    It would be nice to live like that, but try getting a job or going to school or doing anything that involves contact with other people. Not much fun.
  • jumpingjodajumpingjoda Join Date: 2003-12-14 Member: 24367Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    This is a really bad idea, have you read the whole article?
    He says thet he feels really bad if he has no 30 minute nap about every 5 hours. This is why it won't work in real life, most of us need to be on their feet for quite a long time, you can't take a nap while you are at work (unless you have one of those bosses who don't care much about their firm), or school (now, here you simply can't take a nap! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->).
    Even if you don't have a job nor go to school, this is not good when you go to a party, or get some guests... *i hope you people don't mind when i go upstairs and take a nap, play twister for a while, kthxbye*

    I don't think so <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • NarfwakNarfwak Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5258Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS1 Playtester, Playtest Lead, Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Silver, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Diamond, Reinforced - Shadow, Subnautica PT Lead, NS2 Community Developer
    I might give this a try next semester. WPI schedules classes such that I never have more than three or four hours of class a day, so it would be relatively easy to divide my day in to smaller chunks. I would need to find out more about possible health risks (I already have more than enough health problems as it is), but if it looks like a good idea, I could easily do the training period over my winter break.
  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Dengorin+Oct 10 2004, 09:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dengorin @ Oct 10 2004, 09:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is a really bad idea, have you read the whole article?
    He says thet he feels really bad if he has no 30 minute nap about every 5 hours. This is why it won't work in real life, most of us need to be on their feet for quite a long time, you can't take a nap while you are at work (unless you have one of those bosses who don't care much about their firm), or school (now, here you simply can't take a nap! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->).
    Even if you don't have a job nor go to school, this is not good when you go to a party, or get some guests... *i hope you people don't mind when i go upstairs and take a nap, play twister for a while, kthxbye*

    I don't think so <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well its not that bad when you think about it. Since you pretty much fall asleep instantly and wake up automatically 30mn later, I'm sure you can escape without it being much trouble. And in the end if it means you get 5h more of play time, it can be worth it!
  • jumpingjodajumpingjoda Join Date: 2003-12-14 Member: 24367Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I already play 24/7, there is no room for the 5 hours extra >.<.
    The friggn universe will break.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Dengorin+Oct 10 2004, 08:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dengorin @ Oct 10 2004, 08:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> ...or school (now, here you simply can't take a nap! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Oh really?
  • jumpingjodajumpingjoda Join Date: 2003-12-14 Member: 24367Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Depends on the teacher, i can do it when i have certain teachers, but not all.
    Hmm i wonder where you studied <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    My sleep schedual is as follows.

    Wake up at 5:50am to get ready for school (shower eat etc..)
    Go to sleep at 7:45 in English class 1st period for about 10 minutes. Teacher throws eraser at my head.
    Go through the rest of day.
    6th period 12:45-1:35 Gym class Run, run some more, throw stuff.
    7th period Algebra II. take notes, sleep untell 2:30.
    Go home.
    Do homework, eat, play games.
    11:30pm go to bed.

    On weekends, replace 11:30pm with 3:30am and wake up time to 11:30am
  • MantridMantrid Lockpick Join Date: 2003-12-07 Member: 24109Members
    The trick is resting your head on your hand in such a way that the teacher can't see if your eyes are open or not.
  • ZigZig ...I am Captain Planet&#33; Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
    uh.... this is complete horsesh*t..

    if you don't get your REM stages of sleep that are between the 6 and 9 hour range, you're actually harming yourself. it's a fact. you kill brain cells, stunt cell production, and it doesn't help your immune system either..
  • HibameHibame Join Date: 2003-11-16 Member: 22974Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-Zig+Oct 10 2004, 10:38 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Oct 10 2004, 10:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> uh.... this is complete horsesh*t..

    if you don't get your REM stages of sleep that are between the 6 and 9 hour range, you're actually harming yourself. it's a fact. you kill brain cells, stunt cell production, and it doesn't help your immune system either.. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well
    <a href='http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991928' target='_blank'>http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991928</a>
    says to much sleep is bad aswell
  • TyrainTyrain Join Date: 2003-01-03 Member: 11746Members
    Allthough this might work the main problem is to adjust your social life arround your sleep. I imagine just tacking a nap in class ain't no fun for the teacher. Otherwise having 5 more hours a day sounds nice. My body seems to sleep the whole day anyway... might as well try this.
  • coilcoil Amateur pirate. Professional monkey. All pance. Join Date: 2002-04-12 Member: 424Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    The Ubermann sleep schedule is real; I've known people on it.

    The big drawback, as mentioned, is that you have to reorganize your schedule around your sleeping patterns. All the schedule really does is teach your body to sleep more efficiently. REM sleep *is* the essential part of sleep, and you *can* condition your body to reach that stage of sleep (it's the 4th stage) faster or immediately.

    I sleep, on average, about 4 hours/night, sometimes augmented by a 20-min nap in the afternoon. Am I tired sometimes? Yes, but I've been doing it for years and I'm still healthy, so it must not be that terrible for me. I fall asleep very quickly, and I sleep very deeply. At the same time, I wake up immediately to my alarm, with no sleepiness "fuzz" in my head.

    Conclusion: it works. It just isn't terribly compatible with real life - job, relationships, etc.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    the closest thing to this that actual works for normal people (those with a life/job) is a midafternoon nap. It works wonders for yah <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    personaly I try and get 8+hrs of sleep, and unfortunatly I generaly don't. I also don't wake up well to anything aside from waking up myself.



    so not a morning person.
  • eedioteediot Join Date: 2003-02-24 Member: 13903Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Dengorin+Oct 11 2004, 12:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dengorin @ Oct 11 2004, 12:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is a really bad idea, have you read the whole article?
    He says thet he feels really bad if he has no 30 minute nap about every 5 hours. This is why it won't work in real life, most of us need to be on their feet for quite a long time, you can't take a nap while you are at work (unless you have one of those bosses who don't care much about their firm), or school (now, here you simply can't take a nap! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->).
    Even if you don't have a job nor go to school, this is not good when you go to a party, or get some guests... *i hope you people don't mind when i go upstairs and take a nap, play twister for a while, kthxbye*

    I don't think so <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The problems [unless disproven/complicated by medican reasons] revolve around social and lifestyle choices. Society as a whole doesn't normally change within a generation, but it can happen. The changes are made more on a personal level, and there are scenarios where this [possibly better] system could work [and might work better].
  • marcemarce Join Date: 2004-08-24 Member: 30869Members
    edited October 2004
    well societies like those in the mediterranean used the siesta, and people over there (at least in some parts) still do that...

    of course that's based on it being too darn hot to work rather than gaining hours at night.

    edit: spelling
  • Dr_ShaggyDr_Shaggy Join Date: 2002-09-26 Member: 1340Members, Constellation
    I wonder what happens when someone on this sleep cycle were to go out and get drunk and pass out. Would their body jump right into REM and would they snap out of it in 30mins as usual?
  • 7Bistromath7Bistromath Join Date: 2003-12-04 Member: 23928Members, Constellation
    I wouldn't screw around with this. Messing around with circadian rhythm for a long time causes personality disorders. It's probably because of the amount of REM sleep, so I guess this method covers that, but it still seems risky.
  • SinisterSinister Join Date: 2002-04-15 Member: 451Members
    My brother tried this but it was too hard to get in to. Especially when all the other family members kept breaking his sleeping patterns <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    Also, your body repairs itself during sleep. But with this the body won't get enough time to repair itself properly, so it is not recommended to make a permanent switch <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
    (My brother told me this so don't blame me if I'm wrong.)
  • TyrainTyrain Join Date: 2003-01-03 Member: 11746Members
    If he would have done it right it maybe had worked. Don't know what he did and all. But it seems to work for some people.
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