CNN delves deep into the realm of sleep and dreams in ‘Sleep’, a one-hour programme with CNN senior medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Dr. Gupta investigates the dangers of fatigue, some bizarre sleep disorders, the meaning of dreams and remedies for sleeplessness.
‘Sleep’ reveals what sleep deprivation can do and its links to accidents including the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the Exxon Valdez oil spill and a number of plane crashes. Dr. Gupta stays awake for 24 hours and then takes control of a 747 simulator at NASA Ames Research Centre in Moffett Field, California, to see how lack of sleep affects performance.
Dr. Gupta explores various sleep disorders including ‘Parasomnia’, a condition where the mind is asleep but the body continues to move. Parasomniacs have fallen out of windows, kicked and punched their bed partners and even committed murder. ‘Sleep’ investigates.
Using the latest scientific techniques, ‘Sleep’ sees researchers debate whether dreams are random or if they pose any significant influence on waking life. Dr. Gupta spends the night in a cutting-edge sleep lab in Boston, Massachusetts, wired to a computer monitoring his dreams for an hour. He examines the meaning of dreams in ancient cultures and how modern dream interpreters look at imagery.
Many people have trouble getting a restful night’s sleep. Dr. Gupta examines this problem and meets experts who offer advice on ways to get a good night’s sleep, such as creating the ideal environment – room colour, temperature and light are all important factors. Members of the U.S. Olympic team demonstrate what they do to improve their own sleep habits.
