Quote Originally Posted by Starlia View Post
self explanatory
How's about a new wrench?

Yes, "been there, done that:" Based on where I've been, you can definitely stretch your REM cycle in LD's -- I've managed REM phases lasting well over an hour myself, if anecdotal evidence counts. Here's the wrench: I am almost always thoroughly exhausted for at least a day of waking life after stretching REM (or "jumping" REM through multiple DEILD's, which is about the same thing, consciously-speaking).

So, aside from the fact that everything Dutchraptor said above is true, and the restorative stuff is really happening during NREM (which can also be extended, with practice, but that's another tale) while REM itself is sort of a memory-regrouping phase (or Freudian-subconscious-memo-phase), it's really not terribly restorative. And, if you tax your mind by forcing it to support your waking consciousness during extended LD/REM sessions, you stand a better chance of wearing yourself out than you do getting a recharge.

... Of course, I will take the exhaustion every time, because the long-term rewards of extended LD'ing totally outweigh screwing up one night's mental recuperation, I think!

And for the panicky crowds out there: if your LD's fall within the normal confines of your regular REM schedule, you'll still wake as refreshed as ever; and likely very happy!