101 Questions About Sleep and Dreams

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By William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Center
Stanford University

The five billion people living on earth go through the cycle of sleep and wakefulness at least once every 24 hours. Sadly, many, many of these people do not know the joy of being fully rested and alert after their sleep. The alternation of wakefulness and sleep is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human condition.

However, it is only recently, with the advent of highly technological societies, that poor sleep and substandard levels of wakefulness have been of real interest to humans. Over the past eons of time, natural selection may have been gentle on prehistoric people who slept poorly. The major killers and shapers of evolution were war, natural enemies and pestilence. These factors were much more influential in deciding who lived to conceive and care for children than were such disorders as sleep apnea. However, the main causes of death now are very different than in prehistoric times.

As we look forward to the 21st century, alertness during the day that comes from healthful rest during the night can be a major life-or-death matter -- not only for individual people, but also for whole populations. We know that most heart attacks and strokes occur during sleep or just after waking up.

Studies indicate that the near cataclysmic nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island were easily avoidable and began when nightshift workers missed or were confused by warning signals on their control panels. Other studies show that nightshift workers get very irregular and poor sleep and, accordingly, have the most difficulty staying alert for long periods of time. In our present society, it is clear that poor and unhealthful sleep can lead to lethal medical and industrial catastrophes. What can we do?

Since about 1953, scientists have been gathering practical knowledge about how we sleep and what can be done if we do not sleep. Much is already known that was not even imagined twenty years ago. For example, sleep is not always safe or good. Alcohol can destroy restful sleep. There are two periods in the 24-hour day when accidents are most likely to occur and these are the two periods when the human body is physiologically most ready for sleep.

This booklet, in a simple Question and Answer format, leads us through the fascinating story of sleep by posing and answering the most common questions about sleep and dreams. The Mitlers' answers are faithful to solid scientific fact, yet as easy to understand as the daily newspaper. Earlier editions of 101 Questions About Sleep and Dreams have been widely read by people with sleep problems, interested lay people, and as assigned reading for high school and college students. Truly, no home should be without a copy of '101 Questions'.

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