Prompt Cast
Scientists researching drugs to reduce the need for sleep
TLDR Scientists are studying drugs and genes that can allow people to function on less sleep or eliminate the need for sleep altogether, with the hope of improving productivity and reducing sleep debt. Modafinil, a drug initially developed to treat narcolepsy, has been widely used off-label as a lifestyle drug but has been found to have serious side effects and is now only approved for narcolepsy.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode is about an upcoming trivia event and concert.
05:05
The podcast discusses various records of people staying awake for extended periods of time, including a DJ in 1959 who stayed awake for 201 hours with the help of amphetamines, and a teenager in 1964 who stayed awake for 264 hours without any assistance.
09:24
Modafinil is a new drug that allows people to stay awake without accumulating sleep debt.
13:38
Modafinil, a drug that was once believed to have no side effects or addictiveness, has been found to only keep late shift workers awake for an additional 1.7 minutes compared to a placebo, and it works by targeting the sleep regulator GABA in the brain.
17:54
Modafinil, marketed as Provigil, was developed to treat narcolepsy but has been widely used off-label as a lifestyle drug or smart drug by college students and even the CEO of the company that produced it.
22:17
The drug Provigil, marketed as Modafinil, has been used off-label for various purposes, including treating depression, MS, sleepiness, and shift worker syndrome, but it has been found to have serious side effects and is now only approved for narcolepsy.
26:46
Scientists are researching drugs that can allow people to get by on less sleep while still experiencing the same effects as a full night's sleep.
30:52
Scientists are researching drugs and genes that can allow people to function on less sleep or eliminate the need for sleep altogether.
35:12
Some people would love to only get three hours of sleep at night in order to get more done, but it's a mistake to prioritize work over sleep and leisure time.
39:14
No summary can be provided as this section is clearly an ad and not part of the podcast episode.
Categories:
Society & Culture
