“Bicycle mechanism” uncovered that is said to drive our brains in and out of sleep

Jet-setters and night owls will have felt the wrath of an off-kilter body clock, by way of the physical impact it can have on immediate well being. A yearning to understand the underlying reasons for this has been the subject of much scientific interest, and has led to some rather strange products like LED light glasses and glowing pillows. But by studying the biological clock of a humble fruit fly, researchers at Northwestern University are claiming to have uncovered the precise mechanisms that bring us in and out of sleep, with their evidence suggesting these switches date back hundreds of millions of years.

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> But by studying the biological clock of a humble fruit fly, researchers …

Saw a TV show about studying the biological clock of a fruit fly. They kept them awake by periodically turning their test tube upside down so that the fall woke them up.

I was amused at how they forced fruit flies to go to sleep – they gave them antihistamines. So much for the 50+ year old claims of non-drowsy antihistamines, they even put fruit flies to sleep.

Supposedly if you miss your normal bedtime you should wait 90 minutes before going back to bed as this is the start of another sleep cycle