Human Sleep Calculation

[risiane]

In human biology, the question "What determines how long we sleep?" has been asked, I've asked that question and have done experiments to show that the equation should be around this.

 

I am not taking in account of disturbances, just for your information.

 

Variables

X - PSR (Personal Sleep Rate)

S - ST (Sleep Timer \ Determined by how much energy you usually have when you wake)

U - EU (Energy Used \ Determined by how much energy you have used before going to sleep)

P - EP (Energy Preserved \ Determined by how much energy you haven't used before going to sleep)

B - BT (Bed Timer \ How long you usually sleep)

E = E (Energy \ Determined by the person)

A - S (Sleep \ How Long you sleep)

D - D (Differential \ The Inverted Value of B-X)

 

Let me explain the differential thing. Basically, we will start with 1 number, such as 8, multiply it, then determine how much the number changed, example, if 8 were changed to 6.5, it would have changed by 1.5. that would be the differential.

 

D = {B*(~X)}

A ~= (XE-P)-D

 

For example:

S = 16 Hrs

X = 0.82x

U = 13 Hrs

P = 3 Hrs

B = 8 Hrs

E = 16 Hrs

 

If this is all true then

A ~= (0.82*16-3)-1.56 = 8.56 Hours

 

You would sleep around 8.56 Hours.

 

I have not completely tested this theory though, that is why I posted it. What is your opinion?

[Ringer]

Why don't you take into account the different stages of sleep, and how would you get any of these measurements.

[Johnny_Pencilface]

It might be better to take a statistical approach from a real world study rather than starting with a hypothetical equation and trying to make the results fit. You'd need to assess an enormous number of people for your experiment (and the results) to be credible. There would also be the issue of "too many variables" and inquantifiable factors, such as medications, stress levels, demographics, recent exercise, hydration, blood-sugar concentration, illnesses, head trauma, childhood factors, discomfort, noise, body temperature, ambient temperature, gender, age, normal sleep patterns, work patterns, smells in room, blood pressure, bladder capacitance.

 

Not that I'm trying to put you off. Go for it.

[risiane]

I know I know, I'm just giving you some random information I come up with every now and then

[Phi for All]

!

Moderator Note

Topic moved to Speculations, as its validity has not been established. We do this so others don't mistake it for established science and use it for school tests.

[PhDwannabe]

In human biology, the question "What determines how long we sleep?" has been asked, I've asked that question and have done experiments to show that the equation should be around this.

 

I am not taking in account of disturbances, just for your information.

Can you show us these experiments? Can you show us the data and describe the design and controls? Has this been published? Is your hypothesis based on any existing established science, and is your experimental paradigm established by previous work or did you make it up?

 

I have not completely tested this theory though, that is why I posted it. What is your opinion?

We're talking about something empirical. How is anyone to supply a meaningful "opinion" if we can't see your findings and evaluate them in light of your design?

[Dekan]

There might be seasonal variations in natural sleep duration.

 

After all, the natural reason for sleep must be, to stop us moving about at night. During the night, we can't see things properly in the dark. This might lead to harm - we might collide with unseen things, or get attacked and eaten by night-time predators. These bad events are forestalled by sleep, which makes us keep still at night.

And night lasts longer in winter, than in summer. So possibly, humans are adapted to sleep longer in winter.

 

I wonder, have you considered this as an additional factor in your sleep equation?