Factors that affect sleep

Question 1

Sleep deprivation

Answer 1

Peter Tripp stayed awake for 200 hours.

Dreaming while awake - Scientists noted that his brainwaves mirrored what would usually be the 90 mins REM sleep cycle - when dreaming occurs.

He managed to finish the exp. and slept for 13 hours afterward, after which he reported that he had fully recovered.

However… Family and friends disagreed saying he was a changed man still suffering from the effects

Question 2

stimulants

Answer 2

Stimulants:

Caffeine is a stimulant - takes five-plus hours to reduce levels to half in the bloodstream blocking adenosine receptors

Prescription drugs can be stimulants or relaxants inducing sleep

Question 3

Alcohol

Answer 3

Is also a stimulant that makes us sleepy

Affects the ration of REM: non-REM sleep

Alcohol tolerance returns sleep to normal

Question 4

Light

Answer 4

Light affects the release of melatonin

Computer/phone screens emit light, especially blue light, reducing the desire to sleep

(Chang et al 2005) users of tablets/e-readers at night take longer to go to sleep and have less REM sleep.

Question 5

Shift workers jet lag

Answer 5

Shift workers sleep, wake cycle contradict the circadian rhythm

SCN takes time to adjust to a new time zone

Question 6

What was the aim of Czeisler et al 1990?

Answer 6

test if warm and dimly lit shift work environments are counterproductive

Question 7

What was the method for Czeisler et al?

Answer 7

Experimental group - 7000-12000 lux = early morning light, complete darkness (9am - 5pm)

Control group - 150 lux = ordinary light, No specific instructions about daytime behaviour, resetting of the biological clocks monitored by measuring body temp. which varies rhythmically

Question 8

What are the Results of Czeisler et al 1990?

Answer 8

Maladaption of human circadian rhthym can be easily treated if workers are exposed to bright light during the night