I think; therefore I sleep

Vibrant Life, Jan-Feb, 2005

Got a problem? Go to bed Researchers recruited 66 people to discover if sleep spurred creative problem solving. They taught the participants two simple rules to help them convert a string of eight numbers into a new pattern. A third rule that required additional insight and would improve performance was kept secret.

After initial training, some participants slept eight hours, while others were forced to stay awake--some during the day, some at night. Those with sufficient shut eye proved twice as likely as those who stayed awake to figure out the third rule and solve the problem.

The age-old advice to "sleep on it" now enjoys scientific support.

Massachussets Medical Society