Study explores effects of isolation on sleep and perception of time

In an attempt to understand how the human body responds to an environment devoid of time cues, French explorer Michel Siffre spent six months in a cave without a clock. The experiment, conducted in 1972 when Siffre was 33, sought to examine the impact of isolation on circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.

Living in complete isolation

Siffre had previously spent two months in a cave in 1962, but his second experiment in the Midnight Cave, Texas, extended to six months. He maintained contact with a team outside the cave, who were instructed not to provide him with any information regarding time. Without a clock, he slept and woke based solely on his body’s natural cues.

Throughout his isolation, Siffre conducted various experiments, attempting to establish a “48-hour sleep/wake cycle.” He later revealed that, on two occasions, he did achieve the cycle, staying awake for 36 hours before sleeping for 12. However, his sleep remained highly irregular, with durations ranging from as little as two hours to as much as 18 hours. Without external reference points, he was unable to determine the true length of his days. “I decided I would stay underground for six months to try to catch the forty-eight-hour cycle,” he told Cabinet magazine in 2008.

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Mental and physical toll of the experiment

Beyond its effects on his sleep cycle, the prolonged isolation took a psychological toll on Siffre. He reported experiencing emotional distress, bitterness, and mental exhaustion. The lack of human interaction contributed significantly to his deteriorating state.

The study provided valuable insights into how the body adapts to extreme isolation, influencing future research on circadian rhythms and space travel. Siffre’s findings remain significant in understanding human adaptability in environments where time perception is distorted.

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