NeuroOn
What is it?
Intelclinic’s first project, NeuroOn,
recently skyrocketed past their $100,000 goal on kickstarter to achieve
$438,573 in funding. It is clear that there is excitement in the air
surrounding the first sleep aid, in the form of an eye mask, that
actively combines brain waves (EEG), muscle tension (EMG) and eye
movements (EOG) to track your sleeping patterns. This has already been
done with accelerometers but Adam Kamilcyzk, CEO of Intelclinic, claims
that using algorithms to analyze EEG, EMG and EOG components together is
arguably more accurate and reliable. Through this data that is analyzed
through software on your phone, the eye-mask wakes you up using a
light, vibration or sound right after your last phase of REM, minimizing
the feeling the exhaustion and maximizing the benefit of sleeping.
What’s their selling point?
NeuroOn relies upon the premise that we do not have enough time in the
day and that by using the mask, you will be able to switch from a
monophasic sleep cycle (one 8 hour night) to a polyphasic sleep cycle
(taking naps through a 24 hour cycle), which can ultimately add 4 hours
to your day. “In
conclusion, through great sleep efficiency, Polyphasic sleep can give
you an extra 4 hours of free time every day. That’s up to 28 hours (1
day+) a week, 1460 hours a year. That’s right – Your year now has over
420 working days!” The bonus of using NeuroOn is that it claims to
induce lucid dreaming, if the user so chooses, by blinking LED lights
within the mask during the REM cycle.
How does it work?
By sleeping more frequently and for not as long, your body falls into
REM much faster than a normal night. This is due to a process called REM rebound,
which propels people into a deep sleep after being sleep deprived. The
argument for polyphasic sleep proposes that polyphasic sleep allows
people to spend more time in REM, which is ultimately better. There is
research, albeit limited, that supports that polyphasic sleep offers the
same results of a completed monophasic cycle.
Possible conflicts
There is, however, the possibility that polyphasic sleep disrupts
the circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock (guided by sunlight)
that our body uses to know when to sleep and wake. A disruption of the
circadian rhythm may or may not manifest itself in levels of
wakefulness, but it can negatively affect health through other avenues.
Disruption of circadian rhythm can enhance metabolic disorders and
eating during resting periods shows increased body mass. There are also
mental health issues, as this disruption can antagonize a number of
disorders such as bipolar and sleep apnea. Using NeuroOn may intend to help but could potentially negatively impact the health of individuals in a variety of ways.
Potential for other applications
There is research
that demonstrates a positive effect of using light therapy for people
with circadian rhythm disorders. The mask already has lights built-in so
they could use those light diodes to shift monophasic sleep to the
right schedule. This is not in line with their goal of polyphasic sleep
but it could be applied to people with sleeping disorders that need
monophasic sleep for a healthier life-style.