The phase just before we fall asleep, known as hypnagogia or ‘N1’, is a hotbed of creativity, according to new research. This stage of sleep, which exists before deep sleep, has been found to be highly beneficial for our brains’ creative performance.
The study was inspired by famous inventor Thomas Edison, who used partial naps to tap into this rich vein of inspiration. He would nap while holding spheres in his hands, which would drop and wake him up as soon as he fell asleep, allowing him to capture sleep-inspired ideas. This technique was also believed to boost creativity by physicist Albert Einstein and artist Salvador Dali.
In the experiment conducted by researchers at the Paris Brain Institute and the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, a secret rule was hidden in a maths challenge. Participants who experienced the hypnagogic rest, while holding an object in their hand, were the highest performers in the puzzle-solving challenge. This was compared to those who stayed awake or fell into a deeper sleep.
The findings highlight the importance of sleep for our creative performance. Despite sleep often being seen as a waste of time and productivity, this research shows that it is essential to our creative performance. The study suggests that the hypnagogic state could be a way to stimulate creativity in our everyday lives.
Read more: www.weforum.org
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