What: A system of sleeping at regular intervals throughout the day.
When: A variety of methods. Some say 20 minutes every 4 hours, some say 30 every 6, it depends. On sunday morning, have a normal 8 hour sleep.
Where: Anywhere, really. Just be sure you can sneak off for a nap.
How: Begin by taking extra naps during the day, then gradually reduce the extra hours you are asleep until you are only sleeping at the scheduled intervals. It should take about 10 days to get into the system.
Who: Anyone. Actually, I notice a lot of old people doing it without realizing - "I keep falling asleep in the day time and I'm awake all night!"
Why: 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night would give me the time I need to get more things done.
URLs?:
http://polyphasic.blogspot.com/
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/4/15/103358/720

I've been dying to try this system for some time now. I am thinking I will start by trying 30 minute naps every 6 hours, at 1 and 7 o'clock. That way I can still enjoy most of the nightlife. My plan is to use the nighttime and morning hours to work, and the afternoon to run chores, spend time with friends, learn new things, and exercise.
There are, as far as I can tell, two things holding me back. The first is that I need a reminder that it's time to go to bed. I can purchase a wristwatch that has 4 programmable alarms on it. The second is enouragement from other people. That is where you guys & gals fit in.

Is anyone interested in trying this system with me? I won't be starting until Monday, 01 March 2004.

geez i'd call that my old college lifestyle;)

but seriously I'd like to try it.. but wouldnt I go crazy after a while? doesnt your brain NEED at least 6 hours a night or else you become a serial killer?

AFAIK The answer is "no", if you get sleep at regular intervals. One of the things that I've read is that you lie down and are almost immediately in REM sleep, so every time you lie down you have pretty vivid dreams. the one night of the week you do a normal night of sleep is for your body to do those things it normally does during long periods of rest.

Some famous people who have also done polyphasic sleep include Buckmister Fuller and Leonardo. More were listed on the kuro5hin website.

Also I have had friends who followed this regimen in uni. It meant that they could attend all the parties and still get their homework done.

AFAIK The answer is "no", if you get sleep at regular intervals. One of the things that I've read is that you lie down and are almost immediately in REM sleep, so every time you lie down you have pretty vivid dreams. the one night of the week you do a normal night of sleep is for your body to do those things it normally does during long periods of rest.

Some famous people who have also done polyphasic sleep include Buckmister Fuller and Leonardo. More were listed on the kuro5hin website.

And what about sport activities?

Latelly (Thanks to Steve) I do a lot of sport... this includes often morning exercises (30mins) and few times a week long (2-3h) hard time riding my rollerblades. (believe me, I'm totally exhausted after it) During summer i will probably get on my rollerblades even more often and do other things like riding my bike etc...
I think it's impossible to maintain 30mins of sleep every several h while trying to do some real workout... or maybe i'm wrong??

There were a few studies published a year ago or so and it wasn't too positive on the results. Most subjects exibited various muscle problems due to the lack of rest. I don't remember the results on your brain, but i do remember the results were scary. I knew someone that did this for more than 20 years now, and was fine, but then again, the time he wasn't sleeping, much time was spent doing meditation and qi gong, which gives the body the rest needed.

Anyways, I don't really recommend it.

The blog mysteriously ends at the August 2002 entry, when he mentions planning on going forth with full polyphasic sleep. Need I say more? ;)

I've written to the blogger since, he says he's still doing it and going fine. he doesn't update any more because he's in the full program and the site was only about his experiences in getting started.

I've heard a lot of good and a lot of bad. It is my opinion that I will have to be the guinea pig since no one else seems very keen. All that I ask is anyone who may be interested should let me know so we can form some kind of network.