Sleep deprivation: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Sleep deprivation''' is an overall lack of the necessary amount of [[sleep]]. A person can be deprived of sleep by their own body and mind, [[insomnia]], or actively deprived by another individual. Sleep deprivation is sometimes used as an instrument of |
'''Sleep deprivation''' is an overall lack of the necessary amount of [[sleep]]. A person can be deprived of sleep by their own body and mind, [[insomnia]], or actively deprived by another individual. Sleep deprivation is sometimes used as an instrument of[[torture]]. |
||
The experience of withholding sleep can lead to improved mental and physical functioning of the subject in certain cases. Sleep deprivation causes forced relaxation of muscles which many individuals find nearly impossible to relax under ordinary |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
circumstances. Frequent yawning and relaxed muscles brought upon by the body's need for sleep can actually be beneficial for a normally irritant and anxious individual. Sleep deprivation would be most helpful if the subject is knowledgeable about it's benefits and/or open to the experience. |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Extensive research in this area has been carried out by the prominent scientist [[William C. Dement]]. |
Extensive research in this area has been carried out by the prominent scientist [[William C. Dement]]. |
||
Revision as of 13:40, 30 March 2005
Sleep deprivation is an overall lack of the necessary amount of sleep. A person can be deprived of sleep by their own body and mind, insomnia, or actively deprived by another individual. Sleep deprivation is sometimes used as an instrument oftorture.
The experience of withholding sleep can lead to improved mental and physical functioning of the subject in certain cases. Sleep deprivation causes forced relaxation of muscles which many individuals find nearly impossible to relax under ordinary circumstances. Frequent yawning and relaxed muscles brought upon by the body's need for sleep can actually be beneficial for a normally irritant and anxious individual. Sleep deprivation would be most helpful if the subject is knowledgeable about it's benefits and/or open to the experience.
Lack of sleep may also result in irritability, blurred vision, slurred speech, memory lapses, overall confusion, hallucinations, nausea, psychosis, and eventually death.
Extensive research in this area has been carried out by the prominent scientist William C. Dement.
Total sleep deprivation in rats leads to death in 14-16 days. Death occurs later if only REM or only NREM sleep are eliminated.