While You Were Sleeping
In October 2015, the Foundation organized a Muntada talk titled “While you were sleeping” which explained and explored the science of sleep. This talk provided insight into the secret world of sleep, dreams and the subconscious and examined the neurology, psychology and physiology of our “down time”.
Dr. Russell Foster, professor of circadian neuroscience at the University of Oxford, explained the science of how sleep and the lack of sleep impacts the brain. He began by explaining the circadian rhythm—the 24 hour physiological cycle— and its impact on the human body. He explained what happens to our body and brain during sleep. He then discussed the negative impact of sleep deprivation on the brain and our health.
The talk continued with Tim Post, founder of Snoozon, who introduced the audience to the emerging practice of lucid dreaming. The phenomenon of lucid dreaming allows a person to control their dreams and according to Post can be learned. He led the audience into an in depth look at the science of dreaming and introduced them to the emerging research on lucid dreaming. He then discussed experimental uses of lucid dreaming and its applications to enhance psychological development. He presented a variety of examples where lucid dreaming has been used to treat nightmares, to prepare athletes for competition and to allow people to problem solve in their sleep.
The talk concluded with Jessa Gamble, the author of “The Siesta and Midnight Sun.” Gamble is an expert on the impact culture has on sleep and the circadian rhythms. She discussed how modern culture has created sleep deprivation and focused on the negative impact such sleep deprivation has had on society and health.