9 replies to this topic

[dogbarf]

As I sit here on the verge of 3am, I can't help but think of sleep and its relevance to memory. Most of us here are engaged in chemically supplementing our waking minds in search of cognitive improvement, but I really haven't really seen much mention of our sleeping minds. There’s plenty of information available regarding the roles of slow-wave sleep and REM sleep in memory consolidation, and even some regarding the necessary drop in acetylcholine (ironically?) during SWS. Cholinesterase inhibitors have even been shown to be detrimental in SWS memory consolidation. So I am wondering, does anyone here take any novel sleep-specific nootropic measures? I have considered trying a mild anticholinergic (/H1 antagonist) before sleep but the only one with a suitable half-life (cinnarizine) doesn’t seem readily available.

[johnmk]

I too find the idea of an antihistamine in one form of another interesting. I have no idea how it would affect the architecture of sleep, so I wouldn't add such a thing to my night-time regimen without extensive research but what thought I have put into it generally runs along the lines of receptor sensitization at night with heightened sensitivity during the day (I assume that would be pro-cognitive). Without knowing how it influences sleep architecture though, and with no time/willingness to pursue the topic further, I probably won't ever actually get around to it.

[~ prometheus ~]

i've been interested in the link between sleep, LTP and memory consolidation for a while now but the role of REM in memory consolidation isn't entirely clear.
e.g. people with drug and brain lesion-induced suppression of REM don't demonstrate memory deficits. it seems that poor sleep will adversely affect cognitive abilities and reduce memory retention, but poor sleep after learning doesn't compromise memory consolidation.



***********

The REM Sleep-Memory Consolidation Hypothesis

It has been hypothesized that REM (rapid eye movement) sleep has an important role in memory consolidation. The evidence for this hypothesis is reviewed and found to be weak and contradictory. Animal studies correlating changes in REM sleep parameters with learning have produced inconsistent results and are confounded by stress effects. Humans with pharmacological and brain lesion-induced suppression of REM sleep do not show memory deficits, and other human sleep-learning studies have not produced consistent results. The time spent in REM sleep is not correlated with learning ability across humans, nor is there a positive relation between REM sleep time or intensity and encephalization across species. Although sleep is clearly important for optimum acquisition and performance of learned tasks, a major role in memory consolidation is unproven.

************

and another one here: http://itb.biologie..../neuron/135.pdf

[gcurrie]

I would be extremely careful with messing around with sleep architecture. Having dealt with sleep apnea for many years, I am personally aware of the repercussions of unbalanced or insufficient sleep. The effects can be far-ranging and physically/mentally devastating.

It is one thing to try something that affects your waking hours - if it doesn't work, you tend to notice it. If something disrupts your sleep cycle or quality, you may not notice anything directly.

[Shepard]

If I could sleep, I might look into it. It doesn't seem like that will be happening soon, though.

[syr_]

I too find the idea of an antihistamine in one form of another interesting. I have no idea how it would affect the architecture of sleep, so I wouldn't add such a thing to my night-time regimen without extensive research but what thought I have put into it generally runs along the lines of receptor sensitization at night with heightened sensitivity during the day (I assume that would be pro-cognitive). Without knowing how it influences sleep architecture though, and with no time/willingness to pursue the topic further, I probably won't ever actually get around to it.

FYI, anti-histamines dont do a shit for me regarding sleep. The dizziness they cause in certain subjects does not necessarily equal with facilitating sleep.

[kenj]

FYI, anti-histamines dont do a shit for me regarding sleep.

Regarding this, there are several much *healthier* options available anyway.

EDIT: Thanks Opales. [thumb]

Edited by kenj, 19 March 2006 - 12:41 PM.

[kenj]

Why can't I quote with the previous posters name correctly? [sad]

[opales]

Why can't I quote with the previous posters name correctly? [sad]

I hope I understood correctly, but command quote=username has to be on different line than the actual quote. It's a well known bug. Try edit to see if it works.

[trh001]

I'm a nootropric newby, and only just starting to dig into the literature, however I couldn't help but comment on this thread, in particular, given recent napping patterns that seemed to impact my efficiency during studying.

My *perception* is that napping for 10-15 minutes every 1.5 hours during protracted study sessions helped with consolidation (assimilation/accommodation of new concepts). I would go further and say that simply laying down, dimming the lights, clearing and relaxing (allowing the mind to move from beta >> alpha wave activity) the mind, was effective in this regard, as well.

All of my experiences above were during concerted attempts to memorize large amounts of new information.

I generally took a nap, as well, at a transition point in the study material, where I wanted to facilitate consolidation prior to moving on to the next new set of concepts.

I often found myself in a sort of lucid dream state, thinking about the concepts in rather bizarre dream circumstances, as one might expect. I remember thinking that this was likely a part of the consolidation process.

One could also consider self-hypnosis. I was trained in this during high school, and while I've not used it for such, it might be (was rumored to be) useful for memory consolidation.