Surprising facts about sleep that most of us don’t know. Interesting sleep facts to help you understand the secret of sleep.
1. Studies show that you will sleep better at the new moon and sleep worse during a full moon, although the reasons are unclear.
As most of us know, the various moon phases have different effects on the planet. Therefore, several studies have been conducted to understand whether these stages have specific effects on the human body. A team of researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Basel and the Swiss Center for Sleep Medicine has published a research paper stating that a full moon can cause less sleep than usual. A later study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden emphasized more on the connection of moon phases to our sleep. But despite research, there are no definitive studies that can definitively say how the moon affects our sleep.
2. It is possible for people to take a nap with their eyes open and completely unaware.
3. Falling Asleep In Less Than 5 Minutes When You Go To Sleep Indicates You Are Suffering Sleep Deprivation.
Normally, it takes 10-15 minutes to fall asleep, so falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow and only falling asleep within the first five minutes could mean other issues like sleep deprivation or narcolepsy.
4. Before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, people slept longer.
Before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, people slept for about 10 hours a night. Whereas today, people sleep about 6.9 hours on weekdays and 7.5 hours each night on weekends.
5. Narcoleptics may experience sudden “sleep attacks” that can occur at any time.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hallucinations and, in some cases, episodes of cataplexy.
6. Humans are the only mammals that voluntarily procrastinate.
With so much to do and so many distractions that can keep us awake, humans are known to be the only mammals to actually delay sleep of their own accord. Other mammals sleep at bedtime. It’s quite understandable indeed. Mammals other than humans have no responsibilities, activities or hobbies to keep them awake.
7. Scientists don’t know whether animals dream during REM sleep like humans do.
REM sleep is characterized by dreams, rapid eye movements, and paralysis of the limbs and trunk, preventing one from being injured during sleep. With the exception of REM sleep, dreams are not common and the body is not paralyzed. In people without narcolepsy, REM sleep, non-REM sleep, and arousal are stages of sleep.
8. 75% of People Dream in Color Today, But It Wasn’t Like That In The Past…
In a study conducted by Eva Murzyn for the University of Dundee, there is a correlation between the type of television you had as a child and our dreams. While most people under the age of 25 are said to have dreams in color today, those exposed to black and white TV (most likely over 55) are also dreaming in black and white to this day. Before color television, only 15% of people dreamed in color.
9. Whales and dolphins literally fall half asleep. Both sides of your brain alternately stay awake.
Dolphins have to be conscious to breathe. This means that they will not be able to go into a full deep sleep because then they will suffocate. The dolphins “solved” this by allowing half of their brains to sleep at once. This was determined by performing EEG studies on dolphins.
