Day 4 Conclusion: First Attempt at Drinking

So today is overall a failure. I had been doing well all day, I was a hour late for my 4 pm nap , but I got it taken care of immediately afterwards. I even successfully took my 8 pm nap as my sister's family came for dinner. Tonight was one of the first nights that my nap schedule was actually inconvenient. After dinner which included a few glasses of wine, I went out to a bar with some friends. At the bar I had about 3 drinks, my overall condition that evening was typsy but not close to drunk. I missed my 12 am nap (as with my old cigarette habit, women are consistently my foil to completing goals), but I arrived home around 1ish and set my alarm clock immediately.

I am writing this having just woken up 15 minutes ago at 2:30. I am sleeping on my bed, but I moved the alarm clock right next to my ear. While I consider myself lucky for naturally waking up an hour and 20 minutes past my intended time rather than sleeping a straight 6-10 hours, this does not bode well for substance abuse at all! I assure you that my level of alcohol left me mildly inebriated but completely competent. I would like to blame my fatigue and failure on the fact that both my 4 pm and 12 am naps were delayed an hour, but I highly doubt that's the reason. I'm going to have to set up multiple alarms for when I drink at school. My mom has suggested that I shouldn't "binge drink" while I am doing this, but the intrigue about my experiment is its perspective from a substance abusing college student standpoint rather than work-at-home men. Even though I am only on Day 5, I do believe that this is the way of the future, but if kids aren't able to drink and do it, then polyphasic sleep will never take off.

Acknowledging all the above problems, I can't help but note that I'm decently awake right now. Sure I wouldn't mind going to sleep, but after I finish this post, I am going to start packing for my return to school tomorrow. My neurologist brother suggested that I get myself plugged into an electroencephaloram (EEG) so a professional can determine what sleep patterns I am actually engaged in (for general sleep research). I am completely in support of this idea (especially if I can get paid) but I don't think there are any universities in Maine (where I go to school) that have the technology. If anyone has an idea, please let me know.

Day 4 Update: Experimenting with Nap Times

So everything is going pretty well so far.  I woke up at 7 am this morning after my 4 - 7 core sleep.  I was completely exhausted.  I showered (though I definitely almost fell asleep in the shower) and then took a nap at 8 am.  For the future, if I include the core sleep, I'm cutting out the 8 am nap.  My mom and I went for a walk shortly after 9 am which increased my energy significantly.

I went to a movie today and put off my 4 pm nap for an hour.  I was a little tired during the end of the film but nothing too noticeable.  I got home, slept, and woke up feeling much better.  For nearly all the naps I've taken, I am still tired immediately after waking up but within 5 minutes it feels like I've had a whole night of sleep.  After I get farther along into the polyphasic sleep cycle, I want to try skipping a nap just to get an impression of what the crash feels like.  I've also started sleeping in my bed rather than my couch, as well as setting only one alarm that sits across the room rather than next to my head.

My energy and alertness continue to go up, but they haven't surpassed the alertness I get from monophasic sleep.  That being said, it is only Day 4, and I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel at the end of the assimilation process.  Sometimes it feels like I'm doing something wrong because regardless of its difficulty, polyphasic sleep has been much more feasible than I would have imagined.  I have also started taking Centrum vitamins once a day to strengthen my immune system in case my lack of sleep affects it.  Obviously, I'll keep you updated, but so far I can say nothing but good things about this.  Admittedly, I haven't tried to write any papers or read any dense writing, but I feel completely ready for when the time comes. 

Day 4: Vitamins and Immune System

So Day 3 ended pretty nicely.  I felt a little sick at dinner around 9:30, but after my 12 am nap, I was good to go.  I went to this kid's party with some friends feeling wide awake!  The thing is, I'm not energized immediately following a nap but rather a few minutes after it.

So I went to sleep at 4 am, setting 3 alarms ranging from 7 to 7:15.  While I felt great yesterday, which I partly attributed to the core 3 hour sleep, this morning I've been nearly unable to keep my eyes open.  Maybe I should fool around with switching core sleep with an additional 20 minute nap would be better sometime between 4 am and 8 am.  I have to go out and grab mad vitamins because my sister and my friend's father (both doctors) are curious what the lack of sleep will do to my immune system.

Day 3 Update: Free Therapy

Today has been great.  On a scale of 10, I'd say my energy is a 7.  Brain capacity seems almost perfect (though I haven't actually done anything that would test it...).  I've been setting my alarm clock countdown to 30 minutes instead of 20 to allow myself 10 minutes to actually fall asleep.  I think I might alter my sleep schedule to include the 4 am - 7 am core sleep permanently.  I don't know if it's because of those 3 hours, but today I was able to lay on my friend's bed with almost no desire to sleep.  I tend to get drowsy in the hour before nap time but that seems fitting.

There's a weirdly psychological aspect to polyphasic sleep that I didn't expect.  I am naturally an extroverted person--to an unhealthy extent even.  I hate being alone whether it is due to boredom or discomfort with my own thoughts, I don't know, but the second one social interaction ends, I start scanning my cell phone looking for the next.  That was one of my biggest fears going into this experiment.  Not only would I be awake for many more hours but much of them would be spent alone.  

I'm surprised to say that regardless of whether it's 2 am or 6 am, those issues seem to have disappeared.  Maybe I'm so concentrated on not falling asleep that I am less occupied with my inner monologue?  I have no idea.  Maybe it will revert back when I have completely adapted to the polyphasic sleep cycle.  We'll see, but for now I get to enjoy therapy without the bill.

Day 3: Core Sleep

So Day 3 has begun decently well.  There's definitely less of the brain fog thing going on.  Energy isn't particularly high, but I can walk around without fear of falling asleep mid-step.  Last night instead of my 4 am nap, I added a core sleep cycle to the experiment by sleeping from 4 am - 7 am.  (Owen and Max, I owe you money. In hindsight, I realize that agreeing to a bet under the terms of oversleeping 2 hours or more was silly when part of the process involves experimenting with 3-hour core sleep cycles. Oh well.)

After the core sleep, I continued my regular nap pattern at 8 am.  I don't know whether today's energy and clear-headness is due to progressive adaptation or last evening's 3 hour  sleep.  I'm also realizing that I was holding myself to nearly impossible standards.  Until 12 am last night, I had only been a polyphasic sleeper for 2 days, but the increase of hours awake made me feel as if it were much longer.  Assuming that I had been doing it for ages, I was upset with my lack of progress, but in reality, Day 3 is considered to be the beginning of getting over the hump and I've only just started.  Definitely feeling good about all of this.  My family has even become supportive.  While they might not approve of the idea in itself, they view my determination as evidence that I just might make it somewhere in life.

My doctor sister told my mom that the 3 hour core sleep periods were  a really good idea.  It's probably smart, but I'm hesitant to do anything that might make the adaptation period any longer than necessary.  That decision will have to be more spur of the moment than anything else.         

Day 2 Conclusion: Vivid Dreams

So as Day 2 of my polyphasic sleep experiment comes to a close, I'm finding that I'm rarely hungry.  I can eat, but I really have no motivation to do so.  Earlier this evening (particularly after my hour and half nap screw up), I felt pretty energetic (6.5 out of 10).  Ever since I started, I've had what Pavlina refers to as "brain fog."  When that subsides, I'll feel like I'm really making progress. 

When I lay down for my 8 pm nap this evening, I wasn't able to fall asleep.  I kept my eyes closed and definitely had some extremely vivid (note: not lucid) dreams.  It may have been a mixture of substance use and sleep deprivation but every image my mind conjured, I could physically feel.  Mentally, I imagined a cigarette dangling off my bottom lip and then I could feel my lower lip sagging.  I imagined myself with an eyebrow piercing and instantly felt it above my right eye.  It was weird.  I'm drinking a few beers tonight so we'll see what happens with my 12 am nap.  

Depending on how I feel tonight, I might add another nap between 12 am and 8 am.  Pavlina and another polyphasic sleeper's blog suggested it as a temporary nap that can eventually be weened off.  Pavlina also said that he set his alarm clock for 30 minutes instead of 20 to account for the 10 odd minutes that it takes to fall asleep.  It's definitely possible that I've only been sleeping for 10 or 15 minutes depending on how long it's taken me to fall asleep.  A lot of interesting things to consider.

First Fuck Up

So I had my first fuck up this afternoon.  I went to sleep at 4:20 and woke up at at 6:00.  (So in response to your text Owen, I'm still in the game cause it wasn't two hours).  I don't really know how it happened seeing as the alarm clock was right next to my ear.  That being said I guess I really needed the extra sleep.  To add insult to injury, I've been getting immunizations for my semester abroad in Uganda.  Today I got my meningitis, typhoid, and influenza shots, and I wonder if that had an effect on my sleepiness.

I've been re-reading Steve Pavlina's experience with polyphasic sleep.  He found his 1 am - 5 am cycle (the equivalent of my 12 am - 4 am) the hardest to stay awake in.  So what he did was add another nap in between at 3 am.  I might consider doing the same.  While I may have slipped here, I am going to continue to go strong.  Every blog I've read has the person missing one if not more alarms, and while I was hoping to get through without a mistake, this does not deter me from my ultimate goal.

In fact, Pavlina began experiencing more alertness and energy by day 3 and 4, so maybe tonight will be a new threshold for me.  Plus the additional hour and half of sleep I got will definitely make tonight a little easier even if I don't add that additional nap.  Another thing that Pavlina talks about is a core sleep time.  Some polyphasic sleepers add a 3-hour core sleep period often in the 4 am - 8 am range.  As intriguing and inviting as this sounds, I am going to stay away from it because it will make the adaptation period all the longer.  

Shit Show

This just turned into a shit show real fast.  After waking up from my 4 am nap, I struggled to keep my eyes open.  I was able to occupy myself by taking on odd jobs like cleaning out closets and getting things ready for going abroad.  I had to stay standing to ensure that I didn't pass out.  When the sun rose, I got enough of an energy boost to last me until my 8 am nap.  Ridiculously tired, there may have been at most 2 seconds between when my head hit the pillow and when I fell asleep.  Unfortunately though, I didn't feel remotely refreshed 20 minutes later.

As I rode the subway to a doctors appointment, I was literally falling asleep standing up.  I had to take a step back from the platform  cause I was worried I'd fall in.  I picked up a Red Bull cause it was necessary for survival.  I'm doing okay right now, but I'm starting to empathize with heroin addicts who quit cold turkey.

The next nap is at 12.  It's crazy to believe that it's only been two and half days or something.  I was definitely getting a little cocky at the beginning with the first day and night being such a breeze.  Needless to say, I've been humbled.  The benefits from this sleep cycle will be unparalleled, I only hope that it gets a little easier here on out.

Day 2 Update

So I just woke up from my 4 am nap. I was a about 20 minutes late for the 4 am one because I was outside getting pizza with friends. Waking up from this nap was much much more difficult than others throughout the day. The 4 am and 8 am naps have consistently been the most difficult. A lot of the other blogs stressed the importance of sticking to your schedule directly, whereas I've been flirting with 5 or 10 minutes here and there. While I thought that the others were wrong, after waking up with so much fatigue a little while ago, I can only assume that sticking to the schedule is, in fact, imperative.

I also let my self sleep an extra 10 minutes because some polyphasic studies have suggested 20-30 minute sleep intervals. I think this might be dangerous especially when I'm using it just to get a little more sleep. Another thing I forgot to mention is that I haven't been sleeping in my bed for any of his. Rather I've been sleeping on couches with my alarm clock practically next to my ear. Other blogs have written about sleeping on the floor or in an uncomfortable position. While my couch is much nicer than the floor, I wold definitely suggest staying away from the lure of your bed.

As this experiment goes on, my concept of time is becoming more scattered. When constitutes a day when you're up for 22 hours of it? For recording purposes, I have been considering my day over at midnight. Another effect of the the blurred time is that I have to pay more attention to activities typically associated with a time period like brushing your teeth, showering, or taking meds.

I'd also like to point out that I feel like my posts are getting less articulate. I guess my brain isn't going to be working as well for awhile. I'm finally starting to get an idea of what the reality of this life would be like on a day-to-day basis. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I still think that eventually I'll get a beautiful nights sleep in my bed. Urban myths of famed polyphasic sleepers like Thomas Jefferson suggest that he would go to sleep for a full 24 hours once a month or so. The prospect is enticing. Additionally, some polyphasic sleepers have augmented 20 minute naps with a core sleep cycle from 4 - 7 am. This is definitely something to consider.

Physically, I am finding that I fall asleep relatively quickly (but completely unaware). I start each nap slightly paranoid that I won't fall asleep and my body will crash, but the next thing I know I'm waking up to a buzzing alarm clock. It's felt like I've been dreaming in a bunch of my naps even though I can never remember of what. Hopefully this means that my body is on the way to solely R.E.M. sleep.

This is definitely some of the hardest hours. My eyes are getting heavier and I occasionally nod off. My mom, a natural insomniac, is keeping me company, but I'm not sure what I can do if the computer is making me tired. I haven't noticed much of a change in diet that some polyphasic sleepers talk about. Often the amount of awake hours results in increased food consumption, but my natural eating cycle is every hour rather than 3 large meals throughout the day so I believe I'm already accustomed to it. Haven't noticed any other physical side effects besides fatigue. I'll keep you posted.

Day 2

So Day 2 has begun.  I chilled with some highschool friends tonight drinking wine and what not.  We got to my friend's place around 11 pm, so it was only an hour before I had to nap.  Even though they were blasting music in the same room that I was sleeping in, I was able to fall asleep, maybe my body's desperate need for sleep?  My friends have been really supportive.  Even though some have their checkbooks weighed against me, they're still curious to see if this will actually work.  My buddy Max pointed out that in the future we'll look back on this as that weird thing that I tried out, but as of right now it's so current, it's kinda crazy.

Sometimes I completely forget that I'm doing this.  I expect to go home, get into my comfy bed, and pass out.  And even though it's just Day 2, sometimes I wonder why.  What on earth am I going to do from 4 am to 8 am?  That being said, I'm doing pretty good.  It's 3 am and I'm wide awake.  I've been getting small headaches in between naps but nothing that can't be ignored.  Also something I completely forgot about was contacts.  Now that I'm awake most of the day, I've been wearing my contacts much more than I should.  Definitely gotta make a note of that.

So far everything is working just fine.  I'll keep you posted.

Telling the Rents

So even though I intended to keep my polyphasic experiment a secret from my parents, the whole being awake at 7 in the morning when my typical vacation sleep cycle is stay up until 4-5 am and then sleep till 1 pm aroused suspicion.  At lunch with the rents this afternoon, I slowly broke them into the idea of what I was doing.  While they are obviously cautious, they do find the whole thing interesting.  I directed them to this blog and the links so for now I have their support.  My mom even moved dinner to 8:20 tonight  so it wouldn't interfere with my nap.

My friends have been supportive though there are two wagers against me.  I was hanging out with my friend Owen this afternoon who had to wait for my 4 pm nap before we could go out.  So far I'm feeling okay.  I'm a little surprised how efficiently this is working.  I'm falling asleep pretty quickly for every nap, and I am able to wake up after 20 minutes.  The really difficult thing right now is trying to occupy my time.  I have lots of plans for books I want to read and what not, but in this initial assimilation stage, reading makes me too tired, same with watching tv.  My mom is planning on waking up sometime between my 4 am and 8 am nap to make me help her clean the closet ... I guess it's something to do.

I'm going out tonight to drink wine and party a bit.  Let's see how it affects my sleep.  

Day 1 Update

So just thought I'd let you know what's going on. My 8 am nap went a 'lil longer than it was supposed to, like 35 minutes instead of 20. I just woke up from my 12 pm nap. What started as a day filled with headaches and fatigue seem to be getting a little better. I'm not sure, but it seems that this might be working. It took me a few minutes to fall asleep, but when I woke up, I remembered fragments of some dreams. That'd be amazing if my body was already falling directly into R.E.M. sleep. I'm about to have lunch with my dad and then chill with some of my boys. I'll keep you posted. I'm worried about my 8 pm nap, hope dinner doesn't get in the way.

Day 1

So I just want to begin by outlining some of the obstacles of starting this process right now. I just got home for a 6-day vacation which leaves me at day 5 of the assimilation process when I have to make the drive back to school. My parents, aware of the allnighters I've had at school, want this vacation to be about rest and relaxing for me. Little do they know that I will be resting less than I ever have before. The thing is that I can't tell them what I'm doing cause they'd freak, but I also have to manage to avoid family activities during the nap times. Furthermore, if I do turn into a zombie, they'll worry.

So I've decided to make my 20 minute nap schedule 4 am, 8 am, 12 pm, 4 pm, 8 pm, 12 am (easy ain't it). So I arrived back home today, ate a delicious home-cooked meal, and then went up to hang out with some highschool friends who go school in the city. We drank a bit and whatnot, and then I took my first nap at 12 am. Since I wasn't tired, I basically just lay in bed with my eyes shut for 20 minutes to let my body know what was gonna happen.

I got back home around 3 am, unpacked some of my clothes, talked with my friend Sarah who was staying the night and getting on a train to Pennsylvania the next day as she snuggled comfortably into her sheets. Reading that the key to this whole thing was staying busy, I started working on this blog.

As hard as I tried and as uncomfortably as I sat, I felt my eyes sagging. I read articles about massacres in third-world countries, I read NYT op-eds, and even my favorite celebrity gossip sites, but I felt like shit. It had barely been a few hours, and I was plummeting to failure. 4 am rolled around and I set my alarm for 20 minutes and passed out. While I may not have gone directly into R.E.M. sleep, the second my head hit the pillow I was out. When the alarm clock sounded minutes later, I had woken Sarah up and we briefly spoke about how I was going to pull this off.

I'll be honest, I was considering throwing in the towel. Not even more than two naps, I was just so tired and ready for a warm comfy bed. Sarah told me to think about it, but she thought that this vacation might not be my time (perhaps Thanksgiving where I'd have a full 10 days to get used to it). I stayed awake, working on the blog, listening to loud music (THIS IS KEY, really helped: I suggest Mars Volta, really gets the job done). But then something amazing happened ... I started feeling better.

While I definitely could have fallen asleep at any point, I wasn't nodding off and my eyes were wide. As I write this now it's 7:46 am, the last 45 minutes took a turn for the worse, but from what I've read, fatigue closer to nap time can be expected. I eagerly await my forthcoming nap, but I gotta say if I wake up as energized as I did after the previous nap, I might just pull this off.

Check in soon. Peace.