What is the ideal human sleep pattern?

[Erock]

I know that the major consensus around here is that veganism is the ideal human diet. So what exactly is the ideal human sleep pattern? I have a feeling that it is not 8 hours of straight sleep a night, as many humans who sleep this way have sleep problems, and many need caffeine throughout the day just to stay awake. Also, many Americans cannot get to sleep, and spend half the night tossing and turning.

Some people on these forums practice bi-phasic sleeping, polyphasic sleeping, or 90 minute cycles. 85% of mammals sleep polyphasically, but are humans supposed to? Is sleeping straight through the night simply a lifestyle we choose a long time ago, that is unnatural? I know babies sleep polyphasically as well.

So what is the ideal sleep pattern? If we humans lived in the wild, with no society, how would we sleep?

Erock

[Shaden]

We'd sleep how nature intended us to sleep - when the sun goes down the body reacts by releasing a chemical (the name slips my tongue) and we begin to feel drowsy and ready for sleep. This is also coupled by changes in our homeostatic system - temperature - which signal the brain to start releasing the chemicals to induce sleep.

I think therefore there is actually no ideal sleep pattern, since we live in such a nature-defying society. However 7.5 hours of sleep works perfectly for me and I'm only 17 years old. It's possible therefore that as I grow older I might need less and less sleep. I think everybody just has their own ideal sleep pattern and there is no set convention.

[stormpsyche]

Its melatonin.

[supertom]

Obviously not sleeping at all.

People like Al Herpin(94) and Thai Ngoc already have done this.

[supertom]

just realized this is 5 years old

[moonrambler]

Erock sure didn't get much of a response on this one!

[Frederic Theriault]

If you believe in science, 6 hours in the night, plus a nap in the afternoon is the ideal sleep pattern.

If you beleive in results, experimentation will tell you which one is the best.

From my experience, a nap in the afternoon is not always a good idea for me, I only nap if I'm realkly tired. Getting a nap if I'm not makes me more sluggish...

[Ne Cede Malis]

A friend once said to me:

'Human beings are the only animals who don't sleep when they feel tired or eat when they feel hungry'.

I found that quite interesting.

He's referring to the 'modern' human - one whose life is centred around work typically. We've been conditioned since school and work to eat and sleep in paricular patterns. I'm not sure humans are naturally nocturnal though?

In an ideal world, speaking for myself - I wouldn't do early mornings! 10am is a far more civilised time to awake - with a view to being at work around mid-day. Nice

[supertom]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Erock sure didn't get much of a response on this one!

His last visit was a month ago so I guess he might get his answers albeit 4 years later, someone named erock should have patience.

[scotty]

i must be over sleeping then because im taking around 10-12 hours every night

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by scotty

i must be over sleeping then because im taking around 10-12 hours every night

Not only are you over sleeping, you are sleeping away literally half your day!

[Justin Mazza]

I only like to sleep a lot when I am feeling uninspired. I usually get six hours of sleep a night. I would however like to get a one hour nap in during the day, but I never do it.