Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [sleep]

Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than being in hibernation or a coma.

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Does blue light from screens (phone, computer, TV) before sleep affect sleep?

One claim I come across again and again and again in some form is this: Blue light from screens before sleep affects the production of melatonin in your body therefore it's harder to fall asleep (or your sleep isn't so good). Googling for this…
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Does the hops in beer cause sleepiness?

Does the hops in beer have (a consistent and noticeable) effect on drowsiness? Whenever I drink a beer, I get so sleepy that I can barely keep my eyes open. Is it the hops? It can't be the just alcohol - wine and vodka don't make me sleepy like…
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Does the average human take 14 minutes to fall asleep?

I saw this cute online sleep calculator. They claim (put in any time, and you'll see it): The average adult human takes fourteen minutes to fall asleep, so plan accordingly! Is this correct?
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Can I add around 10 years of wakeful time to my lifespan by practicing polyphasic sleep vs. an average Western lifespan?

I have read from various (low quality) sources that practicing polyphasic sleep would add around 10 years to my lifespan vs. an average Western lifespan. Polyphasic sleep refers to the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period—usually…
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Is sleeping on airbeds unhealthy?

I have often heard from people that sleeping on airbeds is not good for health, reasoning that it is filled with air and molds to the shape of our body, so cannot provide enough support for the back. My roommate has been sleeping on an airbed for…
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Can masturbation cure insomnia?

I've come across the claim that masturbation can cure insomnia at several places on the internet, including: Episode 1 of The Principles of Pleasure, which focuses on female orgasm. "We think sexual stimulation could help a number of…
More Anonymous
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Is sleep "defragmentation" for your brain?

I've seem several articles claiming that sleep is akin to the usual proccess of hard drive defragmentation, however for your brain. This process allegedly prunes synapses/memories and reconsolidate memories. You can find several versions of this…
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Does orientation relative to the Earth's magnetic poles affect humans during sleep?

So generally in India they told you, you should not put your head to the north and sleep. [...] Suppose you are anemic and you go to your doctor what does your doctor prescribe for you? Iron. So an important ingredient in your blood is…
Say No To Censorship
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Does Lee Hadwin have "artistic ability" only when asleep?

The artist Lee Hadwin claims that he paints only when he is asleep and has no artistic talent when he is awake. A dailymail article about his gallery opening: An artist who has no artistic ability while awake but can create masterpieces in his…
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Is it possible for a working person remain healthy just by 4 hours sleep a day?

Due to work pressure, I'm feeling that 24 hours is not enough to finish it in deadline. I've tried it for two days but felt impossible. I'd heard that successful person do not sleep long. I don't know how true is it. But I find impossible to…
jklyn
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Does a boxspring offer advantages over slats?

Does a boxspring under a mattress offer advantages over flexible slats? I can imagine a boxspring might seem more luxurious since it feels more soft, but that doesn't mean that it supports your body better while sleeping. Also, I would expect…
Brecht Machiels
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Can alcohol trigger insomnia?

Refer to the article How a glass of wine before bed wreaks havoc with your sleep: Alcohol disrupts body's internal timer and triggers insomnia: While glass of wine at night may help you drop off, the alcohol disrupts sleep and leads to a poorer…
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Do water pillows improve sleep quality?

The manufacturer of a water-filled pillow claims: In a published study from The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Water Pillow by Mediflow was clinically shown to improve quality of sleep and reduce neck pain. But…
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Is the microorganism buildup in bedsheets harmful?

According to business insider, the New York University microbiologist Philip Tierno claims that bedsheets should be washed once a week and that mattresses should be changed more frequently because otherwise it can "make us sick" and trigger allergic…
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Do we need less sleep when the Sun is shining at night?

I always bring black plastic sheets with me when going North in the Summer to make my bedroom pitch dark, but the local people seem to not be bothered by the Sun at night. However, they do say that they need less sleep, some say that they often…
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