In a prior post the suggestion was made that the recall of specific imagery at the time of retiring might function as an aid to inducing sleep. Empirical testing of this hypothesis has been conducted and the results are indeterminate.

The image in the header to this post is the one that provoked the hypothesis. When aware that image recall at the time of retiring was disrupting sleep inducement, I attempted the recall of imagery having no association to the day’s activity. The above image was the first one to come to mind. Contemplating the image, or using it as a point of focus to exclude, or shut out, imagery which provoked rumination, seemed to work. Following this initial observation, I tested a number of different images. One hypothesis concerned the possibility that imagery biased toward red spectra might induce sleep through promoting  release of melatonin.

Test Image Number 1

The above image represents an image intended to test the red spectra hypothesis. This image did not have positive effect on sleep inducement. It appeared too bright.

Test Image Number 2

This image is one of a series of ten or so which have varying degrees of saturation and red bias. This image was deliberately constructed to meet the desired specifications for an image that might promote sleep. This image failed to have positive effect.

Test Image Number 3

This image tested the effect of yellow-red light. When used as a sleep target it appeared too bright. It promoted an awake state rather than inducing sleep.

Test Image Number 4

The above image is the result of simply messing around in an attempt to create something interesting. It was not initially intended as a sleep target but it worked well in this role. It is relatively dark and indistinct. At the same time it offers a sense of depth. I had a sense of being able to “walk into” this image and enter a zone of sleep. Of all the images utilized, this one seemed to be the most beneficial.

The observed characteristics of the preferred sleep imagery is as follows:

• Minimal detail. There is little for the mind to connect with.
• Relatively dark. A high degree of luminosity provoked wakefulness instead of sleep.
• The preferred image offered a sense of depth. This facilitated entry “into” the image.
• The preferred image had the least definition of the test set. It is believed this lack of definition permitted the mind to selectively interpret “neutral” information and this helped provoke sleep.
• The preferred image had the least amount of colour information. This appeared to assist sleep.