can't sleep every 4 hours working 12 and 16 hour shifts.. so this sadly is out as an option for me

 

not an option for most people. IMO, only a select few people can function with this kind of sleep cycle. these people aren't geniuses because of their sleep cycle. IMO, they are able to handle this sleep cycle because they are geniuses and their brains tend to work on the next level from the normal person.

One thing I harp on endlessley to my wife, who sleeps 8-9 hours a day, your body can function on 5-6 hours a day pretty easily. translate that long-term. every 8 years, I get an extra "year" of time because I sleep 3 hours less a day than her.

 

I've done it and it works well for me. If you read "the 4-hour body", He does a great job of explaining it. I didn't do the extreme version, 4 hours and then multiple naps. Its too hard to merge with a changing schedule. I generally sleep 5 to 6 hours and then add one 20 - 30 minute nap after lunch.

 

Same here, except I only take a nap about every 4 -5 months

 

yup. sure way to end up in the East River in a sack :)

 

Lol. I honestly read that post in a Kramer voice.