Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2016 November 13

= November 13 =

Can half a human sleep normally while the other half's awake like sharks?
Split-brain seems like it might be a way to do it but doesn't say. What would a human be like if that happened? Could someone like Kim Peek put his circadian rhythms out of phase with half-blindfolds and sunlamps and stay conscious for decades? Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 19:17, 13 November 2016 (UTC)
 * You might like to read Unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. DrChrissy (talk) 19:24, 13 November 2016 (UTC)


 * It would take more than a split brain to enable this, because the control of sleep state comes largely from subcortical structures, which don't connect via the corpus callosum. Recent research has strongly suggested that it is possible for some parts of the brain to be in a sleep state while others are awake -- this is probably what happens during sleepwalking -- so conceivably a situation could arise where one side of a human brain would be awake while the other is asleep, but except in cases of brain damage this must be very rare.  Species that commonly show unihemispheric sleep have special brain wiring to support it. Looie496 (talk) 23:21, 13 November 2016 (UTC)


 * Good point. It would be an interesting investigation to see if people that had undergone the procedure to sever their corpus callosum can achieve  this type of sleep. Decades ago when I meditated a lot, I thought that the reason I could lay back and rest (whilst on 24 hour call) and (yet remain aware of what was going on around me) was because the meditation quietened down the constant chatter between both sides of the brain so that one side of my brain could could not only sleep but I needed less of it in total.  However, that three pound of fat between our ears also contains the pons (which as you know is Latin for bridge). That bridge was not severed in the operation to mitigate epilepsy.  So, on that anecdotal note, me thinks, it may be possible to train oneself to achieve a partial ability to asymmetrical rest each side of the brain. Its got me thinking to take up meditation again. Have you ever noticed that it is not only lower animals but human females, whilst caring for  neonates can be fast-asleep one moment but the moment the baby vocalises a sound of discomfort, the mother is instantly awake. Older male teenagers and young male adults in war situations, appear to show the same capacity to go from deep slumber to alertness within seconds as soon as the 'watchman' inside their heads senses threat. Think that perhaps this ability is still innate in us  as it may be  necessary for  our survival as a species.--Aspro (talk) 00:34, 14 November 2016 (UTC)
 * Indeed.  People who have had a late heavy meal sometimes experience gastric reflux while sleeping.   They are instantly awake to clear the airway.   Unfortunately in the case of alcoholic poisoning this reflex is suppressed.   Thus someone may be put to bed to "sleep it off" and be found dead in the morning.   In Siamese twins one party is sometimes vexed by the other being asleep. 92.8.63.27 (talk) 10:09, 14 November 2016 (UTC)