I Slept 4 Hours Per Night for 100 Days - Here's What Happened

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their personal experience with polyphasic sleeping, a method where they slept only 4 hours per day through a combination of core sleep and naps. They discuss the theory behind this sleep pattern, its potential impact on cognitive and physical performance, and why historical figures like Thomas Edison practiced it. Despite initial productivity benefits, they stopped due to its effect on gym performance and overall well-being. The speaker also highlights the health risks of insufficient sleep and the benefits of occasional naps. They now follow a more regular sleep schedule, prioritizing 7-8 hours of consistent rest.

Takeaways

• 🛌 The speaker experimented with polyphasic sleep, sleeping 3 hours at night and taking three 20-minute naps during the day, for a total of 4 hours of sleep in 24 hours.
• 📅 This experiment lasted 100 days, during which the speaker wanted to increase productivity by gaining more hours in the day.
• 👨‍🔬 Dr. Greg Poter's commentary on polyphasic sleep highlights that while the body can prioritize deep sleep during sleep restriction, getting the same benefits from reduced sleep is not possible.
• 📜 Many historical figures, such as Thomas Edison and Leonardo da Vinci, reportedly practiced similar sleep schedules.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Despite the sleep deprivation, the speaker's cognitive performance remained intact, allowing them to finish a thesis and create content for a YouTube channel, but physical performance plateaued.
• ⏰ The speaker emphasized that polyphasic sleep requires strict adherence to an alarm clock due to its forced nature.
• 😴 Although initially challenging, the speaker adapted to the polyphasic sleep schedule after a week, but still felt less energized compared to a full night's sleep.
• 💪 The speaker stopped polyphasic sleeping because it hindered physical performance in the gym and the extra hours were not worth the reduced energy levels.
• 📈 The speaker believes that consistent sleep, rather than sleep reduction, increases productivity and effectiveness, with 7 to 9 hours of sleep being ideal for adults.
• 🧠 While polyphasic sleep emphasizes reducing light sleep to prioritize deep and REM sleep, all stages of sleep, including light sleep, are essential for neuroplasticity and cognitive functions.

Q & A

What is polyphasic sleeping, and how does it differ from regular sleep?

Polyphasic sleeping involves sleeping multiple times throughout the day instead of one long sleep session. In this method, a person might sleep fewer total hours by taking short naps throughout the day, unlike monophasic sleep where one sleeps for 7-8 hours straight at night.

What specific polyphasic sleep schedule did the speaker follow?

The speaker followed the 'Everyman' polyphasic sleep schedule. He slept for a 3-hour core sleep at night and took three 20-minute naps throughout the day, totaling about 4 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.

What was the speaker's motivation for trying polyphasic sleep?

The speaker wanted to see if the claims about polyphasic sleep were true, particularly if it allowed for more waking hours without negatively impacting health. He also wanted more time to work on his thesis and YouTube channel.

How did the speaker's cognitive and physical performance change during polyphasic sleeping?

The speaker's cognitive performance, including his ability to write his thesis and make YouTube videos, did not suffer during polyphasic sleep. However, his physical performance plateaued in the gym due to the lack of sufficient rest, affecting muscle growth.

Did the speaker experience any long-term health consequences from his polyphasic sleep experiment?

No, the speaker did not experience any long-term health consequences from his polyphasic sleep experiment. His sleep patterns returned to normal, and his blood work and health remained in good condition afterward.

What historical figures are mentioned as having practiced polyphasic sleep?

Historical figures such as Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, and Nikola Tesla are mentioned as people who reportedly practiced polyphasic sleep. Edison, for example, believed sleep was a waste of time and took multiple naps throughout the day.

Why did the speaker stop following the polyphasic sleep schedule?

The speaker stopped because he felt the extra hours gained from polyphasic sleep weren’t worth the decrease in energy and quality of those hours. He also wanted to focus on improving his strength and muscle growth, which required more sleep.

What are some potential health risks associated with polyphasic sleep?

Polyphasic sleep can lead to sleep deprivation, which is linked to higher risks of Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other health issues. In the long term, not getting enough sleep or quality sleep can have detrimental effects on both physical and cognitive health.

Are there any health benefits to taking naps, according to research mentioned in the video?

Yes, research suggests that taking naps, particularly in the afternoon, can have health benefits. Napping has been linked to reduced stress, slower cognitive decline, and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke in certain populations.

What is the recommended amount of sleep for adults, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that it is generally recommended for adults to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Sleeping less than 7 hours is associated with increased health risks, while sleeping more than 9 hours may also carry some risks.