Science Forums 2

[Bio-Hazard]

It's said that eight hours of sleep is usually a good idea if you want your body to recover mentally and physically, but I question, "Why do people have to sleep?"

Now, from what I understand, if people don't sleep their brain usually gets a bit fried and their body more fatigued. What happens during these eight hours of sleep though? What mechanism in the brain and body starts going away to work as someone sleeps?

What I'm trying to get at is, why can't people create some type of catalyst to speed up all the mind and body processes so they don't have to sleep?

From some people I've spoken to, they've taken illicit drugs and they in no way were fatigued on things such as methamphetamines. However, I do question their mental stability and cognitive processes for somewhat normal living.