On the matter of sleeping...

Hi ParaTed2k, Thanks for sharing your experience here. Your case is a real eye-opener, and has definitely got my attention. I've read about (and seen occasional TV documentaries on) people who didn't need to sleep - there was one guy who went his whole life without sleep, and would stay up all night reading and pottering about while the rest of his family slept. But while that was interesting, all it did was suggest that there's something more to sleep than "everybody needs it". Those cases don't really clarify why most people will eventually fall unconscious involuntarily if they're not permitted to fall asleep according to their body's normal cycles. I'm very curios as to what might have been (or still is) different about you - your family, their lifestyle, your environment, or whatever else might be relevant. Anyway, please don't regard this as an inquisition. I think it might be very enlightening to understand if there's anything about the way you or your parents lived, or where you lived, that made it easier to go without sleep for days on end while still being quite functional. Would the military training have had anything to do with it? I'm sorry to know that your health has deteriorated now. Have you consulted with a competent herbalist at all? I'm thinking that, where dizziness is involved, blood supply to the brain might be an issue. Ceyenne Pepper, Gotu Kola, Ginko Biloba, Eyebright, Ginger and Garlic are each excellent catalysts for improving blood flow to the extremities, including the fingers, toes, eyes and brain stem. It might have nothing to do with any of that, but it's just a thought. Anyway, I hope your health picks up one way or another. Thanks again for your excellent contribution.

Thanks. I doubt there is anything in my family life growing up that led to it. It started around age 12. My family was very typical middle class, two parents, 4 kids and a dog type thing. When I was young, my parents put us to bed the same time every weekday and woke us up the same time. I don't remember laying in bed all night when I was under 12, but at 12 I got my own bedroom. I remember making up games to play all night because I couldn't sleep. That, or I'd read all night long. As for my health now, I've tried medical, chiropractic, nutrition, detoxification, and a few other alternative health programs. All of them helped me feel better in different ways, but none of them helped with the basic problems. If I could find a scientific study to volunteer for, I think I would make a great test case. ;~D

Hi ParaTed2k, If you do volunteer for a test program, make sure the pay you!

Hi catjane,Thanks for this insight. Now I know that if my knees start feeling a bit shaky, it's time to get to bed real quick!

Hi subha12, It's true that we mostly can't keep going without at least some sleep during each day. And it gets harder to put off, the longer that it's delayed. But as to why it should be so, it seems that all we know is that we're "tired" - even if we haven't exerted ourselves physically in any way. So that might suggest that whatever energy is being regenerated isn't physical (?).

Hi barehugs, Thanks for this most intriguing commentary. You seem to have some real insight into these things. I'm personally inclined to concur with the idea that the soul is rather more fluid and unfettered than our physical embodiments, and does occasionally seem to go "somewhere" which is not the same as our waking material realm. I've had a few experiences which support such notions (some more scary than others). It sounds to me that your outlook might be aligned to the idea of "reincarnation", though that's not necessary to permit the validity of the general thrust of what you've suggested here.

I forgot to include a reference to my personal belief in Reincarnation, and also to an Enlightening Trilogy. "Conversations with God," by Neale Donald Walsch.

I'll stand by my explanation! Please read the Trilogy I recommended above!

Hi vicky30, I agree it certainly seems to be refreshing something - otherwise our body or brain or something just shuts down if we don't get enough of it. And 6 to 8 hours does seem to be "normal". It still puzzles me exactly what it all is - there doesn't seem to be much clarity on the subject, from anyone anywhere (and if anyone does have the inside guff, they're apparently not telling).

Hi Gesusdid, Be careful with the coffee - make sure there's enough donuts to absorb it all!

Hi copperkitten, Thanks for providing this info. The theory about boning up on skills is interesting - a bit tenuous, because I would think that I can still ride my bike even if I don't dream - but I Do dream, nonetheless.... I like the sound of the "brain refueling" thing, because it does seem that the brain eventually just shuts down if we don't get enough sleep.

Hi balalaika, I agree, it does seem to be such a waste of time when there's so many things that need to be done. Almost like a tyranny of sorts.

Hi daniraius, IMO you're the first respondent to bring up the non-physical aspects of this subject. I think you might be onto something here. At least, the idea that the needs of something beyond just the physical body are served by sleeping would go a long way to resolving why so much research on the matter seems to keep drawing blanks, or going around in circles.