Sleep and 9tssecrets 1be.River ~ Crystal Li9bt Sleep and ]tsSecrefs 1heRiverof Crystal Light Michael S Aronoff, D JV[ " INSIGHT BOOKS SPRINGER SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC Library of Congress Cataloging-In-Publication Data Aronoff. Michael S. Sleep and Its secrets the river of crystal light I Michael S. Aronoff. p. em. "Insight books." Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-306-43968-1 ISBN 978-1-4899-6056-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4899-6056-6 1. Sleep. 1. Title. [ONLM, 1. Sleep. WL 10e A769s1 QP425.A76 1991 ~54.6--dc20 ONLM/DLC for L1Drary of Congress 91-24100 CIP Cover photo by Michael S. Aronoff, M.D. ISBN 978-0-306-43968-1 © 1991 Springer Science+B usiness Media New York Originally published by Plenum Press, New York in 1991 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1991 An Insight Book All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher To the memory of my father, William R. Aronoff, and to my daughters, Amanda and Jessica. They have anchored me, and are an inspiration to me . . . more than he knew or they know. Prefatory Note Wynken, Blynken and Nod one night Set sail in a wooden shoe Sailed on a river of crystal light Into a sea of dew. ... Eugene Field, Wynken, Blynken & Nod The wellspring of this book actually derives from two sources. First, the fascination with human behavior and the mechanisms by which it is piloted. Secondly, the joy of adventure and discovery. With regard to the first, consider this venture a guided expedition ... not through the Amazon Rain Forest, along the Great Barrier Reef, nor round the limitless corridors of space, but closer. Much closer. Within us all, just over the boundary from wakefulness, and occupying fully one-third of our lives, lies a mysterious world both timed and timeless. This realm of sleep, with its rules, mechanisms, and inventions, and with its dreams, soundlessly whispering in our unguarded ears, is subject to vaga ries which affect the very pulsing and throbbing of life itself. It is into this dominion that we sail. Regarding the second fount from which this work springs, we shall be like travelers in a fascinating but foreign land. . . sharing the explorers' delights of discovery, carried along by interest and bol stered by the building knowledge about what we observe. Through out, our curiosity will serve as a beacon to help illuminate the way as we embark on this journey down the "river of crystal light." vii Acknowledgments No endeavor, such as this project, reaches completion without the input, both direct and indirect, of many supporters. I am in debted to a large number of such colleagues, friends, and family. And I am now privileged to have a platform from which to express my appreciation and my gratitude, both of which have always been felt but perhaps not completely articulated. With regard to my colleagues, they come in two forms. The first is my professional mentors and peers through whom I have been exposed to a level of intellectal discipline, sophistication, and challenge that was, and continues to be, extraordinary. They include Drs. Francis H. Parker, Eliot Stellar, Daniel X. Freedman, Willard Gaylin, Frederick K. Goodwin, Howard F. Hunt, Shervert H. Frazier, Roger A. Mackinnon, and Robert Michels ... thought ful teachers and superb researchers and clinicians who proved to be not only sources of seasoned knowledge but also of sage advice. A special acknowledgment to three colleagues, in particular: Dr. Leith McMurray, with whom I initiated preliminary discussions about this book many years ago, and Dr. Richard C. Friedman and Dr. Zira DeFries, stimulating and supportive friends through thick and thin. The second group of colleagues comprises patients who pro vided me with the opportunity to know them and to grow with them. They must indeed be acknowledged. I am grateful to two friends, especially, A. Joseph Lipton and ix x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Caroline Edwards, who have generously and selflessly supported me and my endeavors. And to my editor, Norma Fox, whose iron hand never once showed through her silken glove, I am indebted for her faith and for her sensitive and gentle guidance. The three have much in common: they are all competent, full of insight and humor, and are never heavy-handed. I must also acknowledge a man I have never met personally, but whose writing and breadth of interest exerted a profound influence on my own thinking and whose books provided me with the model for this one ... Dr. Carl Sagan. My parents, Reva and Bill, provided my brother and me with an atmosphere of humor, optimism, and intellectual curiosity. It has stood me in good stead and for it I will always be grateful. Finally, I want to thank my wife, Dara, for her loving support, editorial help, and understanding throughout this venture and through our lives together. I am indeed fortunate. Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 The ABCs of Catching Zs-Normal Sleep, What It Is: From Rest to Slumber to Hibernation 21 Chapter 3 From Stuffed Teddies to Hot Toddies: Sleep in the Young and Sleep in the Old 47 Chapter 4 The Elephant and the Blind Men: Various Approaches to the Brain and Behavior ... Sleep Efficiency and Naps 65 Chapter 5 The Early Bird Catches the Worm, so let Me Sleep on It: Sleepiness, Performance, and Creativity 89 Chapter 6 It Must've Been Something I Ate: Nutrition and Sleep 107 xi xii CONTENTS Chapter 7 The World of REM Sleep: One Side of Alice's Looking Glass 131 Chapter 8 Sweet Dreams: The Other Side of the Looking Glass 155 Chapter 9 Ondine's Curse-and Other Sleeping Sicknesses 185 Chapter 10 Getting on a First-Name Basis with Mr. Sandman: Pills, Potions, and Remedies 215 Chapter 11 Wake Me Up When It's Over: An Overview 245 Bibliography 263 Index 271