Thread: Polyphasic sleep

Even with the most extreme regimens, like the Uberman, people have done it for months without ever experiencing negative side effects, as far as I know. In fact, most of them say they feel healthier and more energetic. On a long-term basis, it's difficult to say whether it's actually healthy or not, since most people haven't done it for more than a few months, obviously. Plus, it's sort of an obscure practice, so there probably won't be any significant research done any time soon.

Here is a list of some of the cons:

• The adjustment period (for the Uberman or Dymaxion) is extremely difficult and requires a lot of willpower. You need to have a very good reason for doing it--lucid dreaming may seem to be of little importance when you become sleep deprived.

• It is incompatible with the rest of the planet, for a number of obvious reasons. Personal responsibilities (job, social life, etc...) may become difficult to maintain.

• Unless you're a very busy person, you'll probably find that you have way too much time on your hands.

• It becomes difficult to keep track of what day it is; your circadian rhythm is thrown for a loop.

• You have to be very strict with how you time your naps, or it can screw everything up, i.e., You might feel fine for an hour (after a missed nap) then suddenly feel like you just got hit on the head with a shovel.

• A lot of people report that their brain and body permanently adjusted to the schedule, making it difficult to revert back to sleeping regularly.

• You'll have to be careful when using certain supplements and nootropics; melatonin can make you feel groggy for the entire day, while galantamine will keep you awake.

On the other hand, there are less extreme forms of polyphasic sleep that are easier to follow: Segmented, Biphasic and Everyman.

I'm currently on a segmented/biphasic schedule, and I find it's perfect for my LDing needs. I probably wouldn't consider the Uberman unless I was like... retired, or something.

Wouldn't the diminish time duration of N-REM (and REM) have a negative impact on cognitive performance along other issues related to sleep deprivation? Considering that in some forms you are awake for 22 off 24hours I'd assume that even with the circadian rythim being completly bananas, the sleep-wake homeostasis would still have some effect on you, like making you extremely tired even after your body adjusted.

Mentally and physically, these people always seem to be fine.

REM/dreaming is for informational processing and emotional maintenance, while NREM is mostly for somatic repair and energy conservation, methinks. REM is considered the most essential, which is why their naps mainly consist of it, as that is the brain's way of compensating for the loss. With little to no non-REM sleep, your metabolism would be greatly affected--you would definitely need to eat more. I do think their naps consist of of some SWS, but this would be minimal.

Interesting topic, Zoth!

I personally practice a mild polyphasic regimen for two (separate) months each year, during my more intense LD'ing expeditions. I don't fall completely into the 2 hrs of sleep a day with a short nap every 4 hrs, but, with one 3hr "night's" sleep coupled with one to two naps of no less than 90 minutes, I think I screw with my circadian rhythm enough to partially qualify.

Does it do any harm? Not that I can tell. But I am an odd duck, with very few hard-schedule distractions like a job. Regardless, I don't think it would, in the long term; as long as you're able to keep your wits about you. Keep in mind though that that first three hours (instead of two) and seeing that the naps are 90 minutes will bless me with a good dose of delta sleep, which I consider almost as important as REM for dreaming and health... now that I think of it, I rarely have REM dreams during the first three hours' sleep once I get into the rhythm (like anyone else, I normally would); I wonder if my body is compensating by frontloading all the NREM?

Does it help LD'ing? I wouldn't do it if it didn't, I guess, but the reason it helps me may run counter to the "short-recharge, lots of up time" logic of the Uberman strategy (and may fall into the "harm" category for many): I remain slightly tired for very long stretches, with my mind in a comfortable cloud of soft dreamy focus that allows me to keep my self-awareness locked on the goals for my next sleep period, even while awake. I've never described this before, and on paper it sounds a little odd. And yes, it is a trying time for my wife!

I've always wanted to try to "sleep two hours a day," but whenever I begin (be warned, the first week of such an attempt is a bitch), I realize that I'd rather be sleeping more, not less, so I just shake my head and go back to bed. Sleep is, after all, where the dreams reside.

Real Quick:

Originally Posted by zoth00

Wouldn't the diminish time duration of N-REM (and REM) have a negative impact on cognitive performance along other issues related to sleep deprivation? Considering that in some forms you are awake for 22 off 24hours I'd assume that even with the circadian rythim being completly bananas, the sleep-wake homeostasis would still have some effect on you, like making you extremely tired even after your body adjusted.

As I mentioned above, I wonder if a complete switch to this pattern would push all your NREM into those first two hours? Seems possible. Remember also that you can't just sleep 2 hours, but must also take a couple of naps during the day (that's where the REM is), so your body will likely find a way to reschedule the important NREM (and REM, for that matter) repair work.