The speaker, Tris, discusses their experience with polyphasic sleep, a sleep pattern that involves sleeping multiple times throughout the day. In April 2020, Tris successfully tried this method for a two-month experiment. The speaker explains that they woke up at 03:00 and hit the uberman schedule, a polyphasic sleep schedule that involves taking a 20-minute nap every four hours. This schedule is considered the most extreme and requires the least actual sleep, only two hours in every 24 hours.
Tris found that the polyphasic sleep hypothesis is that the brain only needs the REM phase of sleep, which is achieved through napping. The rest of the sleep time is spent in deep sleep, which is restful for the body but no more so than waking forms of rest. The speaker mentions that the adaptation period for the uberman schedule is brutal and takes about two weeks as the brain starts to desperately squeeze REM into the naps to avoid permanent damage.
Tris shares that they initially tried the uberman schedule in 2007 with their brother, but it was miserable and they both crashed out hard. They also mention that society is rigidly built around sleeping at night, which made polyphasic sleeping challenging. However, in 2020, Tris started polyphasic sleeping again during the COVID-19 lockdown, which provided the perfect conditions for such an experiment.
Tris shares that they initially had mild insomnia and had difficulty falling asleep, taking three hours to fall asleep at night. However, after the polyphasic sleep experiment, they were cured of insomnia and found themselves falling asleep at 22:00 each day. They also found that they were very tired at the end of the day and preferred to wind up social gatherings before 22:00.
Tris suggests that anyone interested in trying polyphasic sleep should do so quietly, experiment, and learn from the experience. They also share various tips that helped them during the adaptation period, such as picking a schedule that works for them, listening to white noise while napping, starting on a weekend to isolate themselves from obligations, having meals after each nap, and using blackout curtains or blinds for their bedroom to help them nap during the day.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker's name is Tris.
2. Tris shares a video focusing on technical content.
3. Tris discusses a two-month experiment in April 2020 where he tried polyphasic sleep.
4. Polyphasic sleep involves sleeping more often during a 24-hour cycle, requiring less overall sleep than traditional nighttime sleep.
5. Tris practices the Uberman schedule, which includes taking a 20-minute nap every four hours.
6. Tris's most extreme polyphasic sleep schedule is 20-minute naps at 12, 4, and 8 AM and PM.
7. Tris's polyphasic sleep experiment was successful, feeling like he had unlocked an extra day's worth of productive free time.
8. Tris had previously tried the Uberman schedule in 2007, but it was difficult and led to him crashing out.
9. Tris's brother also tried the Uberman schedule and stuck with it for about a week before crashing.
10. Tris has had standard sleep experiences in life, with a bedtime around 300, which is considered normal for university students.
11. Tris developed mild insomnia in 2017, which affected his sleep patterns.
12. Tris started polyphasing during the first lockdown in London in April 2020, which allowed him to work from home and avoid commuting.
13. Tris tried the E2 schedule from polyphasic.net, which he found easier than Uberman.
14. Tris successfully adapted to the new schedule within four days.
15. Tris quit his day job to focus on making videos and podcasts full time.
16. Tris increased the number of slots on the new mentoring patreon tier to 20.
17. Tris has increased sleep quality and reduced tiredness after adopting the polyphasic sleep schedule.
18. Tris now feels very tired at the end of the day after 21:30, ready to drop at 22:00.
19. Tris's new sleep schedule has helped him overcome insomnia.
20. Tris advises others considering polyphasic sleep to experiment quietly and confidently come out in a big way after experiencing success or failure.
21. Tris recommends picking a schedule that works well for the individual, even if that's just a siesta.
22. Tris found listening to white noise while napping helpful during adaptation.
23. Tris found having meals after each nap, and washing his face and having a drink of water, helped him bounce back into wakefulness.
24. Tris recommends getting blackout curtains or blinds for the bedroom to help with napping during the day.