A new discovery could make it possible to take a "power nap" at the flick of a switch.
Scientists have found a way to turn on deep sleep at will using a machine that magnetically stimulates the brain.
A device worn on the head could in squeeze the benefit of eight hours' sleep into just two or three hours.
Scientists in the US used a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to induce slow waves - indicative of the deepest phase of sleep and essential for learning ability and mood, in a group of sleeping volunteers.
A TMS device sends harmless magnetic signals through the scalp and skull and into the brain, where it activates electrical impulses.
The researchers found that positioning the TMS machine the right way triggered slow waves that travelled throughout the brain.
Slow wave activity occupies 80% of sleeping hours.
During slow wave sleep, waves of electrical impulses wash across the brain at a rate of roughly one a second.
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With each magnetic pulse, the volunteers' brains immediately generated slow waves typical of deep sleep.
"Creating slow waves on demand could some day lead to treatments for insomnia," said study leader Prof Giulio Tononi, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"Theoretically, it could also lead to a magnetically stimulated `power nap' which might confer the benefit of eight hours' sleep in just a few hours."
Prof Tononi believes sleep is essential to prevent the brain overloading.
Memory involves strengthening synapses - connections between brain cells formed by learning.
Sleep might allow the connections created during the day to relax at night, according to Prof Tononi.
The research appeared in an early edition of the American journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Machine Means End To Sleepless Nights
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Machine Means End To Sleepless Nights
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- Brainpiercing
- Crusher of Dreams
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- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:29 pm
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ya, the polyphasic sleep im more familiar with is the 6 20-30 minute naps throughout the day. this one blogger steve pavlina did it for about 5 months before deciding to rejoin the rest of scoiety on a normal sleep cylce
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/1 ... sic-sleep/
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/1 ... sic-sleep/
- Brainpiercing
- Crusher of Dreams
- Posts: 1717
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:29 pm
- Location: somewhere far beyond
Although that statement is really well founded in history, no doubt, I must say for something like a boat crew sleeping like that would be best - as long as you don't have to do too many really strenuous things in between.raoh wrote:i think this is the sleeping routine most pirates used (not sure about the 6 times a day), and was one of the many reasons they were oh-so crazyMrFelony wrote:ya, the polyphasic sleep im more familiar with is the 6 20-30 minute naps throughout the day.
For modern ships you could get through a whole day with just one crew, instead of rotations.
Re: Machine Means End To Sleepless Nights
Get ready for 12 hour work days then, soon there will be mind control caps to compliment this breakthrough.
As for polyphasic, I can't imagine how disoriented you would be sleeping 6 times a day. A week's worth of waking up in one day...
As for polyphasic, I can't imagine how disoriented you would be sleeping 6 times a day. A week's worth of waking up in one day...
Re: Machine Means End To Sleepless Nights
Steve Pavlina said that he felt more energetic through out the day and didnt see any decreases in his ability to do yoga or workout, so it may not affect your ability to do strenuous activities.