[thedoc (OP)]

Why am I not able to stay awake during lectures at university? Lectures I find riveting and most of the time, there's not much else I'd rather be doing than listening to my professors talk about receptor theory or neurophysiology. The same as when I'm driving at night, my eyelids droop and I fall into microsleeps before just putting my head down on the bench and sleeping (not while driving!).
It's not so much sleep deprivation either; I get enough each night (unless there's an assignment due in the morning).
Lots of people I've spoken to have the same experiences - long, inactive periods leave them unable to stay awake. Why? Hey guys, love the show - it's amazing.
Thanks so much! Keep it up!
Joel

Asked by Joel


                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered.

[chapter podcast=1000439 track=13.07.18/Naked_Scientists_Show_13.07.17_1001104.mp3]  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3]

[RD]

If these are sudden "sleep attacks" which occur without warning then narcolepsy is a possibility ... http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Narcolepsy/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[JSparkle]

I guess it's your body telling you that you need more rest. You may think you're getting enough sleep each night, but perhaps not?

[AnthonyDove619]

It's because there's a hidden magical sleep powder in the voice of the lecturer that seems legit to me!

[alancalverd]

I think the short term memory gets full of new information and needs to dump from time to time. On a long drive I stop every 2 hours for a 10 minute nap. With a bit of practice the brain seems to recover and switch back on after 10 minutes with no prompting, and I can press on for 10 - 12 hours using deliberate catnaps. There are also diurnal lows - most people feel dozy around 2 - 4 pm and a "power nap" can restore performance.

But if anyone sleeps during my lectures, I revise the lecture.

[CliffordK]

Dimming the lights in lectures for the use of presentation aids can be particularly troublesome.  Perhaps in the future, the use of bright media such as LED and Plasma screens will help.  Of course, there is also rambling and monotony.

I had been addicted to coffee earlier, but it would never seem to keep me awake, but rather give spikes in alertness followed by lows, as well as disrupting sleep patterns.

As far as driving, BE CAREFUL.  If you need to stop, then by all means find a place to pull over and take a brief nap, even if it is merely at an offramp.  Some people like listening to books on tape during long drives.

[cheryl j]

1) Not getting enough sleep the night before.
2) Sitting in one position too long - over activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
3) Nothing in the content of the lecture strikes you as odd, unexpected, surprising. The brain responds to novelty, even if its kind of stupid novelty that won't advance your station in life.