posted
I thought about this a couple of years ago, and I came across something today (somewhat unrelated, so I won't share it) that made me think of it again.
Why must you close your eyes before going to sleep? Is it biologically necessary? Is it just a habit? Is it possible to learn to sleep with your eyes open (or at least one of them)?
I know somebody who actually does sleep with his eyes open sometimes (we call him "zombie"). He says he has a lot of trouble with sleepwalking and telling the difference between being awake and being asleep. He actually has to remember to close his eyes before going to sleep. On the other hand, I might space out sometimes with my eyes open, but it's never anything like sleep.
I guess your eye muscles must get tired and that's why they close. But why do they always get tired when you get tired? It doesn't seem that it always has to be the case. And it would be really convenient for sleeping through boring lecture classes.
Anyway, I'm just wondering is all.
Posts: 3056 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I wonder if the trait was naturally selected for because it protects one of our more vulnerable spots.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
That's true. A predator would be better able to see your open eyes in the light of the full moon.
Posts: 3056 | Registered: Jun 2001
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Jeffrey - do you have an AIM nick. And if not, why the heck not? And if so, can I have it? And if not, why the heck not?
Posts: 7600 | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
I used to be able to sleep with my eyes open in junior high. Haven't tried it in a long time, so I don't know if I can still do it.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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hmmm, could be to deprive you of that sense, basically to allow your .. gosh I forget what part of your eye to relax and close, kind of give the brain a little rest from all the data input.
Posts: 1753 | Registered: May 2001
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My AIM nick is jehovoid, but I don't have AIM access right now. I'm at the school liberry gettin' some of that fancy book learnin'.
Oh, and I don't have access at home because my computers busted right now and why would I pay for internet anyway when I can just walk to campus and use a computer.
posted
I have homework to do. And the library closes at midnight. I don't want to start something I can't finish.
Posts: 3056 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
Possibly you can't sleep with your eyes open because your mind is stimulated by the outside images coming in, and is distracted by them, therefore can't get to sleep. If you're tired enough, it's possible that you can sleep with your eyes open...
Posts: 4816 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:And I would only keep you for, like, five minutes.
Instead of famous last words, this would be famous last heards. As in, this is the last thing he heard before no one ever saw him again.
Back to the topic, I wonder if that's what monks are doing when they seem to be in a deep trance. Or, if it's different from sleep, exactly what the difference would be, neurologically speaking. Is anyone hear familiar with a field of science dealing with the various states of consciousness? Do I have to go read a book or something?
Olivet, have you ever asked him how it is he is able to do that?
Posts: 3056 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I know a lot of guys around here who can fall asleep with their eyes open, its happened to me a few times, but mostly just because I was that tired that during the war when we got our hour or two off for the night I would just zonk out right away and everyone teased me about how I fell asleep so fast my eyes were still open. Odd to say the least, I know guys who when sleep deprived have just fallen asleep standing up with their eyes open and when someone startles them awake they fall over Posts: 1753 | Registered: May 2001
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Wouldn't sleeping with your eyes open keep you more aware of what was going on around you? And as a result be a survival characteristic as opposed to an obstacle?
On the other hand, with visual distractions it might be hard to actually fall asleep in the first place.
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Wouldn't sleeping with your eyes open keep you more aware of what was going on around you?
No. Though people do talk to me like I'm awake till they realize I'm not.
quote: And as a result be a survival characteristic as opposed to an obstacle?
One would think and knowing me, it sounds plausible. However, I've also been told my every ophthalmologist I've ever seen that my eyes don't close when I blink. The way they say it, it makes me think there is something odd about it. Actually, they say that when I blink, my eyes don't close all the way. Which, if you ask me, explains why my eyes are dry all the time. Of course, sleeping with the left one open can't be helpful either.
quote: On the other hand, with visual distractions it might be hard to actually fall asleep in the first place.
Hmm. . . interesting. I couldn't sleep in the dark if my life depended on it, so I guess I disagree, though the drugs I get to sleep are a good thing. Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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