Colin Snow
Sleep-tracking apps have become increasingly popular, with many people turning to technology to help them fall asleep and track their sleep patterns. One such app is mySleepButton, which uses the cognitive shuffle method to help users fall asleep. The app is based on theories about sleep, moods, emotions, and consciousness and aims to improve upon the traditional imagery training method. Unlike other sleep apps that deliver white noise, music, or meditation, mySleepButton uses a unique approach to help users fall asleep by reading out a word or phrase and asking them to visualize it for 5-10 seconds. This process is designed to keep your mind off your concerns and induce a state that is conducive to sleep. While the app does not directly measure sleep like medical sleep studies, it can still be a useful tool for improving sleep habits and recognizing patterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Help users fall asleep |
| Working | Based on the "cognitive shuffle" or SDI (serial diverse imagining) method, the app reads out a word or phrase, one at a time, and asks the user to visualise each one for 5-10 seconds |
| Cost | Free to try on iOS, and less than $5 on Google Play |
| Additional cost | Users can purchase one or more of the Full mySleepButton packs from the Packs tab for more content to imagine |
| Reviews | "I've been using the cognitive shuffle for over a year now. Every time I can't get to sleep because I've had too much coffee or whatever, I just do the cognitive shuffle and it knocks me into sleep." |
| "I often have racing thoughts at night that keep me awake, but this app and this method allow me to turn them off enough to fall asleep." | |
| "I have trouble sleeping when I need to. Before I got this app, I thought I had to thoroughly exhaust myself in order to sleep when the rest of the world sleeps. My brain yapped at me until I was too tired to think, which might be about 5 AM. Now, I use my sleep button." | |
| "I'm an emergency pediatrician who works shifts. Sometimes I need to sleep in the afternoon to prepare for a shift even if I don't feel tired. The other sleep apps are all pretty much the same: They deliver white noise, music, other sounds, or meditation. There's nothing special about that. None of them implements “the cognitive shuffle” (or SDI, serial diverse imagining). MySleepButton is truly unique." | |
| Scientific basis | Based on theories about sleep, moods, emotion, motivation, consciousness, AI and more |
| Based on a recent theory about how the human sleep onset control system works | |
| Based on cognitive science |
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What You'll Learn
The science behind the app
The mySleepButton app is based on recent theories about how the human sleep onset control system works. The app is designed to help people fall asleep by using the "cognitive shuffle" method, which involves serial diverse imagining (SDI). This technique is meant to imitate and induce the first stage of sleep ("N1"), where the mind drifts from one "random" thing to another.
The app prompts users to serially imagine diverse things, keeping their minds off their concerns and into a state conducive to sleep. This approach is different from the traditional "imagery training" method, which involves monotonous visualisation of the same image. By contrast, mySleepButton encourages users to imagine a wide range of different words or phrases, each very distinct from the previous one. For example, one might be asked to imagine a pear, a lampshade, a rock, fishing, trying on hats, or skiing.
The app deliberately involves a form of play, making it fun for users. However, it is based on rigorous cognitive science research. The concept of "insomnolent mentation" refers to thoughts that interfere with falling asleep, while "counter-insomnolent mentation" describes techniques like meditation and progressive relaxation that aim to counter these disruptive thoughts. However, these techniques are not always sufficient to induce sleep. Thus, mySleepButton employs "pro-somnolent mentation", which involves thinking in a way that signals to the brain that it is time to fall asleep.
The app does not require users to input any personal data or delve into psychological issues. Instead, it provides a simple and effective solution to falling asleep, making it a unique and valuable tool in the market of sleep apps.
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How to use the app
MySleepButton is a CogSci Apps® invention designed to help you fall asleep with the "cognitive shuffle". The app is based on theories about sleep, moods, emotion, motivation, consciousness, AI and more. It is meant to improve upon the well-researched "imagery training" method.
The app is available for free on iOS, and for less than $5 on Google Play. Once you have downloaded the app, you can start using it by pressing the "Put Me to Sleep" button, closing your eyes, and imagining the various things the app reads out to you as you fall asleep. The app will read out a word or phrase, one at a time, and ask you to visualise each one for 5-10 seconds. Each word or phrase is very different from the previous one. For example, it might ask you to imagine a pear, a lampshade, a rock, fishing, trying on hats, or skiing.
The app is designed to keep your mind off your concerns and into a state that is conducive to sleep. It imitates the first stage of sleep ("N1"), where your mind drifts from one "random" thing to another. This stage of sleep is light and easy to wake from, and your brain waves begin to slow. The app also has a "mental drawing" mode, where you imagine yourself drawing stuff (Motor Imagery).
If you have an Apple Watch, you can also use the Sleep app to track your sleep. To do this, make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed, and wear it to sleep for at least 1 hour. You can also create personalized sleep schedules to help meet your sleep goals and improve your overall health.
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The app's impact on sleep
The My Sleep Button app is designed to help users fall asleep. It is based on recent theories about the human sleep onset control system and the cognitive shuffle framework proposed by CogSci Apps Corp. co-founder, Dr. Luc Beaudoin. The app aims to improve the well-researched but monotonous "imagery training" method by encouraging users to imagine diverse things. This approach is meant to keep users' minds off their concerns and create a state conducive to sleep.
The app is deliberately designed to be fun and simple to use. Users press the "Put Me to Sleep" button, close their eyes, and imagine the various things the app reads to them as they fall asleep. The words or phrases are diverse, such as a pear, a lampshade, a rock, fishing, trying on hats, or skiing. This serial diverse imagining (SDI) technique imitates the first stage of sleep ("N1"), where the mind drifts from one "random" thing to another.
The app has received positive reviews from users who have struggled with sleep. Some users have shared that the app has helped them fall asleep faster and at odd times, such as during the afternoon before a shift. Others have mentioned that it has helped them turn off racing thoughts and fall asleep when nothing else has worked. One user even experimented with reducing the time by one minute each night, eventually getting down to 16 minutes before falling asleep.
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User reviews
The mySleepButton app has received positive reviews from users, with many finding it to be a surprisingly pleasant and effective way to fall asleep. The app uses a technique called "the cognitive shuffle", which involves shuffling your thoughts by visualising a rich variety of images. Some users have praised the app for its ability to distract them from their worries and put them in a state that is conducive to sleep. One user called it a "brilliant idea", although they experienced some technical difficulties with the app stopping when their screen timed out. The developers responded to this feedback by suggesting a few troubleshooting steps and offering email support.
Another user praised the app's customer service, stating that they received a prompt response to their query and were provided with a number of potential solutions. The app has also been featured in various publications, including LifeHacker, The NY Times, The Guardian, and Forbes Magazine, with many reviewers finding it to be effective in helping them fall asleep.
However, there are also some negative reviews from users who experienced inaccuracies with the app's sleep tracking features. One user mentioned that the app tracked their sleep as "light sleep" even on nights when they were awake for hours due to their sick child. They also questioned the effectiveness of the smart alarm, which didn't seem to take their sleep patterns into account. Another user had similar concerns about the accuracy of the tracking graphs and the REM calculator.
In addition to the sleep tracking features, some users reported technical issues with the app crashing during the night, resulting in inconsistent data. One user mentioned that they were uncertain if the app could distinguish between themselves, their spouse, and their pets during sleep. Despite these challenges, some users appreciated the added features of recording snoring and apnea events to better understand their sleep patterns. Overall, while the mySleepButton app has received mostly positive reviews for its concept and effectiveness, there are some areas where improvements can be made, especially regarding sleep tracking accuracy and technical stability.
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The app's cost
The mySleepButton app is free to try on iOS, with in-app purchases ranging from $3 to $5. It costs less than $5 on Google Play, with prices varying by jurisdiction. The app is also available on the App Store, where it has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Forbes Magazine, and more.
The app is based on cognitive science and aims to help users fall asleep with the "cognitive shuffle" or SDI (serial diverse imagining). It involves a form of play and is designed to be fun. The app reads you a word or phrase, one at a time, and gets you to visualise each one for 5-10 seconds. Each word or phrase is very different from the previous one. For example, it might get you to imagine a pear, a lampshade, a rock, fishing, trying on hats, or skiing.
The app also has a "mental drawing" mode, where you imagine yourself drawing the item mentioned. This is known as Motor Imagery and can be tiring for the user. The app is based on a recent theory about how the human sleep onset control system works. It involves the concepts of "insomnolent mentation", "counter-insomnolent mentation", and "pro-somnolent mentation".
Other sleep apps on the market include Calm, Pillow, and Sleep Cycle. Calm offers a membership plan of $69.99 per year or $399.99 for a lifetime subscription. Pillow offers a free option with limited content, or a Pillow Premium subscription for $9.99 per month. Sleep Cycle offers sleep tracking and an education library with quick, podcast-like recordings on sleep-related topics. The Oura app, which pairs with the Oura Ring, costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year for membership.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sleep Button app, or mySleepButton, is a CogSci Apps® invention designed to help you fall asleep with the "cognitive shuffle".
The Sleep Button app works by reading out various things for you to imagine as you fall asleep. This helps to keep your mind off your concerns and instead focuses on a state that is conducive to sleep.
The "cognitive shuffle" is a recent theory about how the human sleep onset control system works. It involves "pro-somnolent mentation", which is thinking in a manner that signals to your brain that it is time to fall asleep.
The Sleep Button app is available on iOS and Google Play.
The Sleep Button app is free to try on iOS and costs less than $5 on Google Play.
