Polyphasic Sleep and its Effects on Sleep Patterns

Perhaps no topic in sleep is more filled with more wild claims and unsubstantiated research than polyphasic sleep. The division of sleep into several distinct periods is not new. The question is, does it hold the key to enhanced health and performance? In this episode, we will:

• Define polyphasic and monophasic sleep
• Learn about the sleep of other animals and contrast their typical polyphasic sleep to the monophasic sleep of most humans
• Follow the history of polyphasic sleep through medieval times up through the Industrial Revolution.
• Explore specific types of polyphasic sleep including the Uberman Sleep Schedule and that followed by Buckminster Fuller
• Understand how sleep cycles work and how increasing fragmentation can interfere with the health benefits of sleep
• Conclude with the scientific recommendation concerning the health risks of polyphasic sleep practices

Produced by: Maeve Winter

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• The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child

Thanks for listening and sleep well!