AIBU to think it's fascinating that humans NEED sleep, and

[bbcessex]

To wonder what life would be like if we didn't?

I love my bed but often wonder what an alternative life spent round the clock would feel like!!

There is a thing that people do that essentially is this. I can't remember what it's called but they sleep 20 mins every four hours and they get so much shit done.

Most animals need sleep. We're nothing special.

They did an experiment on cats once. Every time they fell asleep they woke them. After a while they actually started dreaming whilst awake. Apparently there is a biological need to dream

I love my bed but often wonder what an alternative life spent round the clock would feel like!!

If you really want to find out I can recommend a career in medicine

I'd be morbidly obese

Eh? How did they know the cats were dreaming?

I don't find it fascinating. Many animals need sleep.

We need to sleep loads because of large brains i think? To process all the inputs.

Plenty of animals just sort of doze rather than conking out!

I always think its weird that everyone has to sleep. Doesn't matter who you are, how rich, how poor, how powerful etc, every human you have ever come across has to sleep!

20 minutes every 4 hours sounds so depressing.

@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser

I always think this. What would life be like if we didn't need sleep?

Why do we sleep? Like I obviously understand why but at the same time it seems weird from an evolutionary perspective, it's a really weird concept.

@speakout I think the OP means the concept of sleep, not that we’re the only things that do it

They did an experiment on cats once. Every time they fell asleep they woke them

That's horrible. Poor cats. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture.

I agree it's a fascinating subject OP. If you want to know more about it I highly recommend a book called "Why We Sleep" by Matthew Taylor.

Matthew Walker that should be!

OP I can really really really recommend this book, 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker.

If you're more into podcasts the author did a three part one on Peter Attia's podcast 'The Drive' which is also a fascinating listen.

Oops cross post!

I'm worried now. Are they going to take sleep away? Please don't suggest things that the capitalists might see as the next best thing!

One of the awful things about the Twilight books was the idea that the vampires didn't need to sleep, so in theory they could spend their nights doing far more interesting and useful stuff, though in practice Edward just watched Bella sleep. And while he was a creepy stalker, the bit that almost made me feel sorry for him was that she got a lovely sleep every night and he was just waiting around till she woke up again. How boring and frustrating life would become if you couldn't ever switch off for a while.

Thank you for the recommendations - I will definitely check the books and podcasts out.

Yes, I didn't really mean humans over other mammals - just the need for extended periods of sleep in general. I understand the physiological and psychological drivers behind it, but it still feels bizarre that we haven't evolved to eradicate the need.

I’ve dreamed twice whilst awake... gone straight from talking into a dream. It was bizarre.

20 minutes of sleep every 4 hours? I don’t think that would be sustainable for anyone for more than a couple of days, if that...

Giraffes only sleep for 20 minutes in 24 hours apparently. Poor things...

Spuriouser

Year ago I was awake for 72 hours and I did start to dream while awake. I saw a gorilla dressed as a general on the bus