Curious

[srlevine1]

Has anyone else experienced this … it seems to me, the act of masking up somehow cues my system that it is time for sleep and I quickly drop off after five minutes. I was wondering about this because it appears to occur if decide to take a nap after a period of intense work. Or even if I vary my sleep times.

[sunlight]

Funny you should say that, I said something similar to my partner just the other night. When I first started CPAP I found it so claustrophobic it almost gave me panic attacks and I'd frequently rip the mask off feeling like I was suffocating. But over time I've gotten used to it and now the sensation of subtle air pressure is almost like a cue to my body that it's time to sleep. Crazy how quickly your brain adapts!

[sauerkraut]

srlevine1;
Research Pavlov’s theory ..  The brain becomes conditioned to a stimulus that repeats ..
Steve

[Rcgop]

I can’t say actually fall asleep sooner but my eyes close immediately and it feels very strange if I “try to open”. Opening them requires a concentrated effort.

[SleeplessinPgh]

Just like sunlight said.  It took some time to adjust to using a CPAP device, but it became easier over time.  Now, I drift off fairly quickly after I turn it on.  Maybe like Pavlov's dog, but it works.

[Ockrocket]

Do an experiment, mask up without the hose connected and see what happens. 

[SleeplessinPgh]

Do an experiment, mask up without the hose connected and see what happens. 

I actually did that once, but not intentionally.  Put on my mask and laid down, started drifting off very quickly, then realized I hadn't hooked up the mask to the hose.  Hooked it up and fell asleep.

[DaveCar]

I wonder if this could imply that a airline pilot that uses xpap might have notable difficulty when testing masked flying ?
I guess the only time a regular pilot would have to mask would be during some type of emergency, and then the adrenaline would take over.

[srlevine1]

I wonder if this could imply that a airline pilot that uses xpap might have notable difficulty when testing masked flying ?
I guess the only time a regular pilot would have to mask would be during some type of emergency, and then the adrenaline would take over.

Used to fly a Cessna turbocharged 210 and used a full-flow oxygen mask -- never felt sleepy. Perhaps, it is the environment, the oxygen, the cockpit workload, continual instrument scans, and the dire consequences of lack of attention or falling asleep. 

Meanwhile: woof, woof -- it works for me.