I would like to know your opinion on this hypothesis?
Abstract:
The multiple hypotheses proposed to explain the function of sleep reflect the incomplete understanding of the subject, and through this paper I attempt to put forward an evidencesupported hypothesis on the function of sleep that has not been highlighted. In this research, I relied on previous researches, analyzed them, and linked them , And i came up with a new hypothesis of sleep function, My hypothesis says : that sleep occurs due to the accumulation of “Breathing gas” melting in the human body, and these gases dissolve more whenever the atmospheric pressure is greater, and sleep reduces the number of breathing times by 73% in some of its stages1, and therefore The amount of dissolved gases in the body decreases.
Introduction:
The multiple hypotheses proposed to explain the function of sleep reflect the incomplete understanding of the subject. While some functions of sleep are known, others have been proposed but not completely substantiated or understood. Some of the early ideas about sleep function were based on the fact that most (if not all) external activity is stopped during sleep. Initially, it was thought that sleep was simply a mechanism for the body to "take a break" and reduce wear1. This theory is not fully adequate as sleep only decreases metabolism by about 5–10%2,3 . With the development of EEG, it was found that the brain has almost continuous internal activity during sleep, leading to the idea that the function could be that of reorganization or specification of neuronal circuits or strengthening of connections4,5. These hypotheses are still being explored. Other proposed functions of sleep include maintaining hormonal balance, temperature regulation and maintaining heart rate. and through this paper I attempt to put forward an evidence-supported new hypothesis on the function of sleep that has not been highlighted.
Material and Methods:
In this research, I relied on previous research, analyzed them, and linked them. and I found a clear link and similarity between "sleep" and "Narcosis while diving".
Results: I formulated a new hypothesis:
that sleep occurs due to the accumulation of “Breathing gas” melting in the human body, and these gases dissolve more whenever the atmospheric pressure is greater, and sleep reduces the number of breathing times by 73% in some of its stages6 , but because the pressure in the sea is high, “deep numbness” occurs within minutes, unlike atmospheric pressure, it is much lower, so the effect takes about 16 hours for drowsiness and sleep to begin.
Discussion:
Since any theory or hypothesis must have evidence, I present a set of evidences for this hypothesis:
1- When diving in the sea, the pressure is great, and a phenomenon known to divers occurs called “Narcosis while diving” The greater the depth of diving, the greater the effect of “Narcosis while diving”.
2- 2- All the components of “breathing gas” have a narcotic effect7,8 ,and this effect increases as the pressure increases, and the more the gas has a greater ability to dissolve in fat9.
3- Hot air is less pressured than cold air, and the night is often colder than the day, so in the night is often “atmospheric pressure” higher than the day, and therefore the desire to sleep increases at night to increase the “atmospheric pressure” in night , and increase the melting of “breathing gas” in the body .
4- A study indicated that exposure to heat increases alertness10, and this is consistent with this hypothesis, because the hot weather is less pressured, and therefore the melting of “Breathing gas” in the body is less.
5- Sleep duration can also vary according to season. Up to 90% of people report longer sleep duration in winter, which may lead to more pronounced seasonal affective disorder11,12 winter is colder and therefore the "atmospheric pressure" must be greater in it often, and therefore the melting of "breathing gas" in the body is greater.
6- The similarity between sleep and “Narcosis while diving”, a study described that “Narcosis while diving” is similar to the effect of benzodiazepines13, in other studies, they said: “Narcosis while diving” allows for a faster decrease in body temperature14,15 ,16 and this is what happens when mammals sleep17.
7- There is a clear link between hours of sleep and the amount of "Breathing gas" entering the human body. The more respiratory rate, the more hours of sleep, and the lower the respiratory rate, the fewer hours of sleep, As evident from Table .
Table:
age group
respiratory rate18
sleep duration19
New Baby
40-50 /minute
Between 14 and 17 hours
lactation phase
30 /minute
Between 12 and 15 hours
Baby
20-25 /minute
Between 11 and 14 hours
adolescence
16-19 /minute
Between 8 and 10 hours
puberty
12-15 /minute
Between 7 and 8 hours
References
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12 Hate waking up when it's dark out? Find out how winter really affects your sleep habits.
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17 Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm, Kazue Okamoto-Mizunocorresponding and Koh Mizuno
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19 Hirshkowitz, Max; Whiton, Kaitlyn; Albert, Steven M.; Alessi, Cathy; Bruni, Oliviero; DonCarlos, Lydia; Hazen, Nancy; Herman, John; Katz, Eliot S.; Kheirandish-Gozal, Leila; Neubauer, David N.; O'Donnell, Anne E.; Ohayon, Maurice; Peever, John; Rawding, Robert ( 2015). "National Sleep Foundation's sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary". Sleep Health.