Snorting a Brain Chemical Could Replace Sleep

[superconnected]

Source: Wired.com

In what sounds like a dream for millions of tired coffee drinkers, Darpa-funded scientists might have found a drug that will eliminate sleepiness.

A nasal spray containing a naturally occurring brain hormone called orexin A reversed the effects of sleep deprivation in monkeys, allowing them to perform like well-rested monkeys on cognitive tests. The discovery's first application will probably be in treatment of the severe sleep disorder narcolepsy.

The treatment is "a totally new route for increasing arousal, and the new study shows it to be relatively benign," said Jerome Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA and a co-author of the paper. "It reduces sleepiness without causing edginess."

Orexin A is a promising candidate to become a "sleep replacement" drug. For decades, stimulants have been used to combat sleepiness, but they can be addictive and often have side effects, including raising blood pressure or causing mood swings. The military, for example, administers amphetamines to pilots flying long distances, and has funded research into new drugs like the stimulant modafinil (.pdf) and orexin A in an effort to help troops stay awake with the fewest side effects.


Read more: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/12/sleep_deprivation?mbid=yhp

[ixion]

1. sleep is the only chance I have to get away from this hell hole called society

I wouldn't give it up for anything. :)

[The Traveler]

4. That's not very patriotic of ya!

You would turn down the chance to be 24/7 productive for our corporate masters? Why do you hate America, sleep junkie?

:rofl:

[tridim]

2. Zombitrine?

I can just picture my boss trying to make me take this. See, now you can work 80 hours a week!

I'll stick with 7-8 hours every night.

[Teaser]

3. Late night TV is really bad

Why not sleep?

[superconnected]

5. Actually the article scares me.

[heliarc]

6. This is tempting for me...

I love sleeping too, but having more awake time to get projects done and achieve more is really really tempting. I wonder how safe it REALLY is.

[Clovis Sangrail]

7. I can't imagine it takes away the physical effects

of no sleep.
Not being sleepy... sure.
But after being awake for 48 hours there are effects on your body other than being sleepy or not alert... you (well... I )just feel thrashed.

[treestar]

18. Not to mention the effects on the mind

Sleep is needed to shut the mind down, too.

[Zookeeper]

15. Me, too...

I have trouble making myself go to bed at night because, well, I'm really awake and want to do creative things. But, I also hate getting up in the morning. So, if I were absolutely convinced that it was SAFE (like you said), I would be interested.

Although, what I've looked forward to my whole life is the option to get all of my nutritional needs from a pill, instead of having to bother with meals if I'm too busy or not interested in eating. That would feel really liberating.

[jgraz]

8. Can I pick whose brain I snort it from?

:evilgrin:

[heliarc]

10. You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose...

But you can't pick your friends' noses

[Aviation Pro]

9. DARPA

....better known as The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the research arm of the DoD. You can bet your sweet ass that this drug will be used first to keep Special Operations units and long range bomber crews awake and alert. And you can also bet that it will be 20 years before this hits the civilian market.

[Ayesha]

11. This is good news for my partner

She has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Modafinil (Provigil) helps her function for a few hours a day, but it isn't enough. Any developments in this area are very welcomed!

[Double T]

12. American sleepless sweatshops are just around the corner..........

Can't wait for the mandatory eighty hour work week.

[sandyd921]

13. No sleep replacement for me;

I enjoy the real thing! :)

[Didereaux]

14. coke by any other name! n/t

[mcscajun]

16. Nothing will ever take the place of a comfy bed with flannel sheets

and really warm blankets.

That "snort" is a trap to get us working and buying around the clock. You'll have to pry my mattress out of my cold, dead hands, and yes, I'll shoot first. Right after I wake up.

[LostInAnomie]

17. This stuff is going to be the capitalist's best friend.

"What do you mean you need to sleep? That's 8 hours you could be producing for me! Your refusal to take this drug is really making me reconsider your employment."