If you imprisoned someone in a cell where they can’t see the outside world at all, and gave them a clock that runs 3 times slower, would they eventually happily sleep once every three days, and for a long time? Why or why not?
In: Biology
Existing in total darkness has been studied. Google studies on Josie Laures and Antoine Senni.
In any case, a clock won’t really make any real difference. Changing the lighting cycles might.
Sleep is governed by relatively unrelated two factors. Circadian rhythm and adenosine/melatonin. Circadian rhythm is relatively stable though subject to light clues for adjustment. Melatonin is, I believe, very light sensitive. Adenosine is purely a metabolism thing.
Ultimately, sleep has very important restorative affects. Studies show that after even 24 hours of sleep deprivation, you have cognitive deficits similar to a drunk person (studies were done for driving safety). These deficits accumulate (I don’t remember if linearly or geometrically) until you reach a point (48-72 in) where you microsleep. If I remember, studies beyond 72 hours were considered too dangerous.
These studies were remarkably similar across all populations except – if I remember – for a very tiny group with certain gene mutations.
An excellent lay reference is [Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ1YGJ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o02?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
There was an experiment where a guy spent like 4 months inside a deep cave, but exposure to any forms of light were kept to a minimum to see how his rhythm was affected. It sucked at first, but he eventually adjusted to being awake for like 24 hours and sleeping for 16, and feeling totally fine with it. I cannot remember if he had a watch and was therefore aware of the time or not.
There have been studies that when deprived of natural light, the body will naturally drift toward a 48-hour sleep cycle (24hr awake, 24hr asleep)
I can’t see the introduction of a slow clock having an effect at all.
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