94th post: more hawt bitches

MLBisRigged · #1 10-07-2007, 09:22 PM

Sleep deprivation is used as a torture or interrogation technique (for example, in Pinochet-era Chile, the Soviet Union, and by coalition forces in Afghanistan).[29] Interrogation victims are kept awake for several days; when they are finally allowed to fall asleep, they are suddenly awakened and questioned. Menachem Begin, the Israeli prime minister from 1977-83 described his experience of sleep deprivation when a prisoner of the KGB in Russia as follows, "In the head of the interrogated prisoner, a haze begins to form. His spirit is wearied to death, his legs are unsteady, and he has one sole desire: to sleep... Anyone who has experienced this desire knows that not even hunger and thirst are comparable with it." In 2006, Australian Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock argued that sleep deprivation does not constitute torture. [30][31] In rats, prolonged, complete sleep deprivation increases both food intake and energy expenditure, leading to weight loss and, ultimately, death. [32] Nicole Bieske, a spokeswoman for Amnesty International Australia, has stated, "At the very least, [sleep deprivation] is cruel, inhumane and degrading. If used for prolonged periods of time it is torture."[29]

Treatment for depression

Recent studies show sleep deprivation has some potential in the treatment of depression. About 60% of patients, when sleep-deprived, show immediate recovery, with most relapsing the following night. The incidence of relapse can be decreased by combining sleep deprivation with medication. Incidentally, many tricyclic antidepressants happen to suppress REM sleep, providing additional evidence for a link between mood and sleep. Similarly, tranylcypromine has been shown to completely suppress REM sleep at adequate doses.

Sleep deprivation is often used as a form of recreation, entertainment or to provide a legal "high" without using drugs.[citation needed] Vivid hallucinations, heightened senses and a feeling of incredible creativity (common effects of illicit drugs) may occur after 48 hours (or less) of being in a state of sleeplessness. There is even a history of sleep deprivation being used by different schools of religious mystics as a form of asceticism or to heighten spiritual awareness. In particular the early desert monks of the Christian Church during the fourth and fifth centuries were known to deny themselves sleep. Coffee owes much of its spread in popularity through use by Muslim mystics in all-night devotions.

In the United States, and in many other countries, sleep deprivation is common among students due to the fact that almost all schools begin early in the morning, forcing students to get less sleep than they normally would. In addition, students who should be getting between 8.5 and 9.25 hours of sleep, are getting only 7 hours due to school policies. In most studies, the issues of parental responsibility over their children's lifestyle was not introduced. In several school districts, the opening of school was delayed by over an hour to give students more sleep. For example, in 1997 the University of Minnesota did research that compared students who went to school at 7:15 and those who went to school at 8:40. They found that students who went to school at 8:40 got higher grades and more sleep on the weekdays. A National Sleep Foundation survey found that students get an average of 6.8 hours of sleep. Students get more sleep each night in the summer than during the school year. One in four US high school students admit to falling asleep in class at least once a week.

Since sleep deprivation is a fact of modern combat, the U.S. Army, through DARPA, has a "Preventing Sleep Deprivation Program", which has the goal to prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation and provide methods for recovery of function with particular emphasis on cognitive and psychomotor impairments. Their efforts include new pharmaceuticals that enhance neural transmission, nutraceuticals that promote neurogenesis, cognitive training, and devices such as transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Militaries of several countries, including the US, the UK, and France, have been exploring the use of a drug called modafinil (brand name Provigil), which has prevented negative effects of sleep deprivation. Although modafinil is not a typical stimulant, it eliminates fatigue, promotes wakefulness, and improves alertness; it was initially developed for sufferers of narcolepsy.

Edit: imo