Comments on: Sleeping on it – how REM sleep boosts creative problem-solving

By: Ostriches sleep like platypuses (and look wide awake when they do) | Not Exactly Rocket Science | Discovery

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:50:44 +0000

[...] why did this happen? In humans, REM sleep is said to be important for strengthening memories and boosting creativity. Did these or other REM-related skills play a role in the early evolution of birds and [...]

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:24:55 +0000

I have sleep apnea, moderate to severe. When I do “nap” in the afternoons, or mornings, it is unintentional, and there are no dreams. I almost died in a fire last November. I fell asleep on the couch. Literally, sat down, and was out cold, while stew was on the stove. 4 smoke detectors and one Carbon Monoxide detector, all on the same floor were screaming loudly, as my husband was coming home from work. I do not remember him trying to wake me up. This has happened more than once in the last few years. My CPAP is now at level 10, but I am breathing over that! Without dreaming, I am a walking zombie during the day, am depressed, tired, anxious, defensive and moody. I have been tested twice since October of 2008, and both show signs of little or no REM sleep. I can’t survive like this much longer, and would like to know what to do? Any suggestions?

By: Zap

Zap — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:24:54 +0000

Not to be a wet blanket, but (contrary to the advertising) this study doesn’t tell us anything about how REM aids creative problem solving. Knowing that norepinephrine and acetylcholine levels differ in REM and in deep sleep is sorta’ informative, but not really. It’s sort of like knowing that your hard drive makes funny noises when you save documents; it’s not false, but it’s not an explanation either.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:22:05 +0000

I am going to print out this paper and clip it to my lab coat when I take my thrice-weekly nap on the couch in our lobby – that way, everyone will know that I am actually hard at work from 3:30 to 4 pm!

By: Sudeep Bhaumick

Sudeep Bhaumick — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:07:00 +0000

Hahaha… Now I know how my roommate who always fell asleep in class managed to clear all the examinations without any hitch…

By: Lab Rat

Lab Rat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:14:34 +0000

wow…that is an impressive looking graph! (I’ve just been reading over my dissertation work and totally laughing at all my dubious correlations)

By: Lilian Nattel

Lilian Nattel — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:18:10 +0000

Isn’t that interesting. Maybe that’s why I have to start writing in the morning–I’ve been prepped during sleep. If I have to do something else I find it much harder to get going on my book even a couple of hours later.

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:21:36 +0000

So I can quote this study to my boss, then?

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:18:23 +0000

Arvind, you’re a genius. I will now take copies of this paper along to conferences so that I can justify it when I fall soundly asleep. “No, no, I’m just boosting my ability to form associations between your riveting talk and my existing knowledge.”

By: arvind

arvind — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:14:57 +0000

Nice. So saying “This idea is so exciting I want to take a nap!” may not be a negative comment anymore?