Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id QAA11832 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 26 Sep 2001 16:33:03 +0100 From: Philip Jonkers <P.A.E.Jonkers@phys.rug.nl> X-Authentication-Warning: rugth1.phys.rug.nl: www-data set sender to jonkers@localhost using -f To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Getting to sleep Message-ID: <1001517864.3bb1f32871922@rugth1.phys.rug.nl> Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 17:24:24 +0200 (CEST) References: <3BB18B9B.80852A2D@mmu.ac.uk> In-Reply-To: <3BB18B9B.80852A2D@mmu.ac.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit User-Agent: IMP/PHP IMAP webmail program 2.2.6 X-Originating-IP: 129.125.13.3 Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Bruce:
> I was tired but had to do some work, so when I went to bed I was
> "over-tired". The same thoughts kept going round my head repetitively
> and I could not get to sleep. The solution is to get up, have a warm
> drink and read for 15-30 minutes and then return to bed. One can then
> sleep. The repetitive thoughts can be worries but need not be (in
> this
> case they appeared to be simply a catchy tune).
>
> This raises several questions:
>
> 1. Why does this repetition happen when one is over-tired?
IMO, the key word here is stress. Being unable to sleep
simply points in that direction. Repeting thought remind me
of the way a neural net learns. A learning cycle in a neural
network consists of a feed-forward loop following by a feed-back
loop. This way the synaptic strenghts are adjusted to minimize
subsequent errors when undergoing the same learning
experience. Although you are tired your brain seems to have
sufficient access to enough energy reserves, perhaps induced
by ample amounts of caffein? If you were fatigued, i.e. knocked
off your feet into a comatose state, you would simply drop
asleep instantly if you ask me. It seems that occasionaly your
brain goes into some sort of a overdrive mode, a runaway state
into a repetitive learning cycle that can only be broken by
active interference (warm drink and diversion of attention).
I don't know if we experience the same thing, but sometimes I
undergo similar `torments of the soul' to put religiously
metaphorically. IMO it's just stress... not to worry if it's
not lasting and is easily remedied...
Bruce:
> Is there some active boredom mechanism that usually prevents such
> repetition when properly awake? It is notable that (when I remember
> them) my dreams are not usually repetitive like this. This suggests
> to
> me that boredom is an active ability that requires some 'energy'
> (either
> asleep or awake).
Boredom seems to me a healthy mode of the brain where either
new stimuli are needed or rest.
Bruce:
> 2. Why does this repetition apparently stop one going to sleep?
Any mode of stress prevents one from sleep.
Bruce:
> 3. Why does the 'cure' work?
Regarding the brain, it's all about chemicals my friend...
It seems that you succeed in administering the right
chemicals (tryptophane->serotonin, simple sugars)
only a little too late.
Sleep well,
Philip.
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