Re:The Uberwomen Who Beat Sleep: Origin of the "Uberman" pol...
by logfromblammo on Monday January 25, 2016 @04:05PM
(#10969929)
I know a narcoleptic who is able to drive in town, but absolutely cannot drive on the autobahn-style US interstate highways between cities for very long, at any time of day.
It has to do with orexin. Orexin helps keep you awake. But you produce less of it when you are sedentary or bored. When there is mental engagement with a task, it is easier to stay awake.
The very qualities that make limited access highways useful for most of us, to get places more quickly, make them deadly for people with orexin-deficiency sleep disorders.
That's why I hope polyphasic sleep experimenters only drive on the interesting or challenging stretches of road.
It has to do with orexin. Orexin helps keep you awake. But you produce less of it when you are sedentary or bored. When there is mental engagement with a task, it is easier to stay awake.
The very qualities that make limited access highways useful for most of us, to get places more quickly, make them deadly for people with orexin-deficiency sleep disorders.
That's why I hope polyphasic sleep experimenters only drive on the interesting or challenging stretches of road.