Tell HN: I didn't sleep last night, and I feel even better?

by lifeplusplus on 9/29/2021, 9:55 PM with 3 comments

This started as Ask HN but after some googling it's now Tell HN, just wanna share my discovery, which is already well documented.. So last night due to TV/Depression I didn't go to bed until 5am. But then I thought I wont wake up on time so screw it I'll just stay awake. I was fully prepared to be a zombie and expecting headaches. And headaches did start at 8am, I took a nap accidentally at 9am to 9:50am and they went away. Later today, I noticed I'm able to focus, there is huge silence in my mind, all negative thoughts are gone... I feel bit like a zombie/fatigued but at the same time kinda hopeful, stable, content and ok. No anxiety or depressive mood, like not at all, almost scary how ok it feels, also not excited/happy either that I think is healthier place to be.. instead of swinging between crazy happy and totally hopeless. I did more coding today than in the last 10 days. Even had an important interview and wasn't nervous.

So I started to look what the heck is happening I always thought sleeping was crucial to mental health and neurons etc.

Turns out it's documented

"Sleep deprivation (SD) response shows up in the SD night or on the following day. Ten to 15% of patients respond after recovery sleep only. After recovery sleep 50-80% of day 1 responders suffer a complete or partial relapse; but improvement can last for weeks....There are, however, indications that Total Sleep Deprivation (TSD) is superior"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12531127/

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16213237

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25458755

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13845315

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26685975

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27328290

  • by lifeplusplus on 10/3/2021, 6:03 PM

    Day 4: So now the effect is fading, but on days 1-3 I was in full control. I did everything I have ever wished my productive self would do (read whole book, walked 8 miles, went to bed at 10pm...). I didn't need will power as alternative thoughts were just absent. I was in 'do' mode 95% of the time, no thinking/stalling.. i.e. I should take a shower.. I got up and did, no willpower needed.. my body started to feel exhausted from doing right things all day.. but it didn't cause internal debate at all. It wasn't like I lived a 100% productive life in those days, but I did what I choose to, 100% easily. No fighting yourself, no negative feeling (regret, self pity, desperation, anxiety, etc).. ex: I decided to watch a movie, then mid way I decided it's too late and should go to sleep. I did just that.. didn't fight the urge to let it finish because that urge was so weak that didn't even need willpower. It was beautiful, albeit bit zombie like couldn't really think deep thoughts. On day one I could have been told to draw straight lines for 8 hours and I'd have not felt bored, tired, and agitated. Is this what Adderall feels like?

  • by jschveibinz on 9/30/2021, 12:38 AM
  • by lifeplusplus on 9/30/2021, 3:13 PM

    Day 2, slept 13 hours and negative+extreme emotions are still numbed. great.