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{{TNT|Experimental Schedule}}This schedule is a higly flexible schedule derived from the [[Dual core]] schedules.<ref name="reddit" /> Similar to [[SEVAMAYL]], it evolves from adaptation to Dual core schedule such as [[DC2]] and [[DC3#Extended|DC3-extended]]. Unlike with flexed versions of those regular schedules, DUCAMAYL allows taking [[naps]] when tired throughout the day, with a varying number of naps and changes in core timings as well as lengths.{{TNT|DUCAMAYL}}

{{TNT|Experimental Schedule}}This schedule is a higly flexible schedule derived from the [[Dual core]] schedules.<ref name="reddit" /> Similar to [[SEVAMAYL]], it evolves from adaptation to Dual core schedule such as [[DC2]] and [[DC3#Extended|DC3-extended]]. Unlike with flexed versions of those regular schedules, DUCAMAYL allows taking [[naps]] when tired throughout the day, with a varying number of naps and changes in core timings as well as lengths.{{TNT|DUCAMAYL}}

== Origin==

==Origin==

The name DUCAMAYL stands for “Dual Core As Much As You Like”. It is one of the 4 “-AMAYL<nowiki>''</nowiki> flexible polyphasic schedules, the other ones being [[SPAMAYL]], [[SEVAMAYL]], and [[CAMAYL]].  

The name DUCAMAYL stands for “Dual Core As Much As You Like”. It is one of the 4 “-AMAYL<nowiki>''</nowiki> flexible polyphasic schedules, the other ones being [[SPAMAYL]], [[SEVAMAYL]], and [[CAMAYL]].  

First created and roughly drafted in 2017 in the [[Polyphasic sleep discord|Discord]], it was proposed as a flexible Dual Core counterpart to SEVAMAYL, a flexible [[Everyman]] schedule. In 2020, there have been two more recorded successful adaptations to DUCAMAYL, which are by [[GeneralNguyen]] and [[UncertainBeing]].   

First created and roughly drafted in 2017 in the [[Polyphasic sleep discord|Discord]], it was proposed as a flexible Dual Core counterpart to SEVAMAYL, a flexible [[Everyman]] schedule. In 2020, there have been two more recorded successful adaptations to DUCAMAYL, which are by [[GeneralNguyen]] and [[UncertainBeing]].   

== Mechanism ==

==Mechanism==

The mechanism of DUCAMAYL is believed to resemble that of SEVAMAYL, with two shorter cores in place of the long Everyman core.

The mechanism of DUCAMAYL is believed to resemble that of SEVAMAYL, with two shorter cores in place of the long Everyman core.

After adapting to a rigid base Dual core schedule, the body gets used to the new sleep pattern, which involves 2 core sleeps and a number of naps, as well as the reduced total sleep. Then, the sleeper gradually adapts to [[flexing]], allowing naps to be moved, added, or removed. Because of 2 core sleeps covering much of the night and morning in which the alertness is the lowest, DUCAMAYL tends to have fewer [[naps]] than SEVAMAYL.

After adapting to a rigid base Dual core schedule, the body gets used to the new sleep pattern, which involves 2 core sleeps and a number of naps, as well as the reduced total sleep. Then, the sleeper gradually adapts to [[flexing]], allowing naps to be moved, added, or removed. Because of 2 core sleeps covering much of the night and morning in which the alertness is the lowest, DUCAMAYL tends to have fewer [[naps]] than SEVAMAYL.

== Scheduling ==

==Scheduling==

For average sleepers, the schedule would include at least ~4-5 hours of sleep from the two cores, with about 1-4 naps of 10-20 minutes in length. Nap spacing should take into account natural periods of tiredness, such as the early afternoon circadian dip.  

For average sleepers, the schedule would include at least ~4-5 hours of sleep from the two cores, with about 1-4 naps of 10-20 minutes in length. Nap spacing should take into account natural periods of tiredness, such as the early afternoon circadian dip.  

The wake gap between 2 cores can vary on a day-to-day basis. Each core might be flexed or changed in length to some extent. As with SEVAMAYL, it is not recommended to add or remove sleep cycles more than once a week, as either sleep debt or lengthening can destabilize the adaptation to the reduced total sleep.

The wake gap between 2 cores can vary on a day-to-day basis. Each core might be flexed or changed in length to some extent. As with SEVAMAYL, it is not recommended to add or remove sleep cycles more than once a week, as either sleep debt or lengthening can destabilize the adaptation to the reduced total sleep. As with all other sleep schedules, should be at least 90-120 minutes awake between sleeps.

A [[pronap]] is viable if the whole DUCAMAYL schedule is rotated backward, with the first core being early enough. When necessary, it is also possible to schedule ultrashort naps (~10 minutes) if regular 20-minute nap are too long to schedule. This would serve to sustain alertness with light sleep ([[NREM1]]/[[NREM2]]) until the next nap during any daytime hours. The freedom to pick nap durations whenever necessary after adaptation is very satisfying and greatly boosts the overall flexibility and durability of the whole schedule. Nonetheless, '''these changes in nap durations should not be abused''' - occasionally using them to one’s advantage would prevent the destabilized nap structure from the adapted base Dual Core schedules.

A [[pronap]] is viable if the whole DUCAMAYL schedule is rotated backward, with the first core being early enough. When necessary, it is also possible to schedule ultrashort naps (~10 minutes) if regular 20-minute nap are too long to schedule. In general, shorter naps contain much less REM. It is suggested that two 15-minute naps can replace one 20-minute nap, after accounting for the time it takes to fall asleep and reach REM.

== Adaptation ==

==Adaptation==

{{further|Flexing#-AMAYL}}

{{further|Flexing#-AMAYL}}

There has been some attempts at adapting to the schedule cold turkey, but they have virtually all failed. As with SEVAMAYL, first adapting to a strict Dual core base schedule seems to be necessary. The possible base schedules to start from include DC1, DC2, DC2-extended, as well as DC3-extended.

There has been some attempts at adapting to the schedule cold turkey, but they have virtually all failed. As with SEVAMAYL, first adapting to a strict Dual core base schedule seems to be necessary. The possible base schedules to start from include DC1, DC2, DC2-extended, as well as DC3-extended.

It is important to do this gradually, however, as flexing all the sleeps right away can destabilise the adaptation. One or both cores of DUCAMAYL can remain fixed, instead focusing on the flexibility of naps for convenience in daily scheduling.

It is important to do this gradually, however, as flexing all the sleeps right away can destabilise the adaptation. One or both cores of DUCAMAYL can remain fixed, instead focusing on the flexibility of naps for convenience in daily scheduling.

During and after the adaptation, some naps as well as cores may shorten. The best strategy is to get up as long as a good amount of sleep has already been gained since the schedule allows for extra naps later if you get tired. However if there is a long wake gap ahead in schedule, it would be a wise approach to go back to sleep for the full duration of the nap to gain more wakefulness sustaining. Similarly, after adaptation is complete, '''a nap can be extended to 30-40m''' during early/late morning hours (REM peak-~11 AM) without having to worry about SWS wakes. This would strategically enhance wakefulness for the next hours, resulting in the need for fewer or no naps later in the day. Similar to the cores, under normal conditions, there should be at least 90-120m awake between each nap. 

During and after the adaptation, some naps as well as cores may shorten. The best strategy is to get up as long as a good amount of sleep has already been gained since the schedule allows for extra naps later if you get tired.  

==Difficulty==

==Difficulty==

The adaptation to a base Dual Core schedule is also deemed harder to achieve than to a base Everyman schedule, thus the [[flexing adaptation]] may be equally, if not harder, than SEVAMAYL. A lot of effort in assessing the proper times to place naps and cores will be required to adapt to DUCAMAYL, the flexing adaptation that is mostly [[4-Stages Adaptation Model#Stage 4|Stage 4]], feeling somewhat low in productivity and not truly refreshing/adapted sleep. Lastly, '''excessive sleep''' due to physical recovery, sickness, extended wake periods that promote long sleep, injury, uncontrolled drinking, substance use, etc. can destabilize the whole schedule, which already takes several months to adapt to. With all that said, with thorough planning and execution on all these elements, DUCAMAYL is a powerful schedule to arrive at.

As Dual core schedules in general are often considered harder than their similar Everyman counterparts, adapting to this schedule may be somewhat more difficult compared to SEVAMAYL. As with other dual core schedules, this depends on whether one is a naturally segmented sleeper.

 

As with SEVAMAYL, the flexing adaptation will mostly consist of [[4-Stages Adaptation Model#Stage 4|Stage 4]]-like conditions, feeling somewhat refreshed most of the times, but not always. The adaptation is similarly considered to take several months to complete, in which one needs control of the sleeping environment to maintain the schedule. Overall, despite the relatively mild sleep deprivation, the adaptation to this schedule is considered hard.

==Lifestyle considerations==

==Lifestyle considerations==

Like other “-AMAYL” polyphasic schedules, erratic lifestyles greatly benefit them. It would be, however, a better idea to slightly flex the Dual Core base schedule rather than adopting DUCAMAYL if flexibility is limited with consistent work or social commitments. Unlike, SEVAMAYL, however, DUCAMAYL has the second core sleep around dawn that can boost alertness for several hours ahead. This can pave the way for certain jobs with long wake gap(s) from morning to early afternoon hours without having to rest. The second core of DUCAMAYL (on variants with at least ~5h total sleep of both cores) limits the amount of needed daytime naps, and needing only 1 daytime nap on certain days can allow for a lot of uninterrupted waking hours.   

Like other “-AMAYL” polyphasic schedules, people with irregular life schedules greatly benefits from DUCAMAYL. Similar to SEVAMAYL, DUCAMAYL is not very suitable for those on strict work schedules, since the ability to flex naps can be gradually lost if not regularly used. Compared to SEVAMAYL, DUCAMAYL generally requires fewer naps in the day, but involves a second core that may limit early morning activities.   

Regarding core sleeps, under emergency or social events that have to delay the first core sleep, it is then possible to '''move both cores further into the night''', resulting in a much later wakeup time for the following morning. Another option is to '''skip the first core and extend the second core by 90m''' and resume napping as usual. The following night can continue with 1 extended core sleep and extra naps until alertness is back to the refreshing state. The [[dark period]] can start 15-30m before either core sleep after the party if time is too crunched, and maintained between 2 cores if possible. Under normal conditions, dark period should be introduced some time before the first core and maintained in the wake gap between 2 cores like other Dual Core schedules. Because of the potential flexibility of cores, an experienced or well-adapted to flexing sleeper can start the first core 30m or 2-3h after dark period has begun whenever desired. However, '''excessively delaying the first core should be entirely avoided when adapting''' and should not be allowed to happen more than once a week or so, to avoid destabilization. This is because the first core’s SWS quality can greatly falter if delayed too often into late night hours.

Under emergency or social events, both cores sleeps can be delayed to allow more time awake in the evening. Alternatively, the first core may be skipped, and the second core may be extended by one cycle, though this would incur more sleep debt and be more destabilising. The [[dark period]] should change as little as possible to ensure a stable circadian rhythm.  

 

Under normal conditions, dark period should be introduced some time before the first core and maintained in the wake gap between 2 cores like other Dual Core schedules. Because of the potential flexibility of cores, an experienced or well-adapted to flexing sleeper can start the first core 30m or 2-3h after dark period has begun whenever desired. However, '''excessively delaying the first core should be entirely avoided when adapting''' and should not be allowed to happen more than once a week or so, to avoid destabilization. This is because the first core’s SWS quality can greatly falter if delayed too often into late night hours.

External factors such as food, exercise and mental health status should be considered carefully and planned accordingly to ensure the quality of each nap. It is generally better to nap before a heavy or long workout, and meals. Otherwise, napping some hours after these activities is also very viable. It is also crucial to manage personal stress levels, as [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22485105/ emotional distress is shown to increase REM needs] and can put more pressure on the schedule. As an added bonus, the wake gap flexibility between 2 cores allows the schedule to effectively dodge '''[[Daylight Saving Time]]'''.  

External factors such as food, exercise and mental health status should be considered carefully and planned accordingly to ensure the quality of each nap. It is generally better to nap before a heavy or long workout, and meals. Otherwise, napping some hours after these activities is also very viable. It is also crucial to manage personal stress levels, as [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22485105/ emotional distress is shown to increase REM needs] and can put more pressure on the schedule. As an added bonus, the wake gap flexibility between 2 cores allows the schedule to effectively dodge '''[[Daylight Saving Time]]'''.  

Like other “-AMAYL” schedules (except SPAMAYL), once adapted it is possible to '''occasionally extend either core sleep by 90m''' in the event of slight sickness, somewhat more tiredness, stress or heavy gym workouts. This extension should not be done more than once per 7 or 10 days. Nap durations can also become a lot more versatile on some occasions, being able to be extended to '''30m-40m''' (for early/late morning naps) in experienced sleepers or reduced to '''5-10m''' in the case of emergency that does not allow for the usual 20m, or when it gets late in the day (after ~5:30 PM) to avoid more grogginess upon waking.  

Like other “-AMAYL” schedules (except SPAMAYL), once adapted it is possible to '''occasionally extend either core sleep by 90m''' in the event of slight sickness, somewhat more tiredness, stress or heavy gym workouts. This extension should not be done more than once per 7 or 10 days. Nap durations can also become a lot more versatile on some occasions, being able to be extended to '''30m-40m''' (for early/late morning naps) in experienced sleepers or reduced to '''5-10m''' in the case of emergency that does not allow for the usual 20m, or when it gets late in the day (after ~5:30 PM) to avoid more grogginess upon waking.  

Both core sleeps and the naps will sustain alertness, retain memory, cognitive and ideally physical performance everyday. The ability to gain natural wakes from certain naps or cores is also very satisfying.  

Both core sleeps and the naps will sustain alertness, retain memory, cognitive and ideally physical performance everyday. The ability to gain natural wakes from certain naps or cores is also very satisfying.  

== Variants ==

==Variants==

To ensure flexibility of both core sleeps and the naps, the total sleep of both cores combined should be '''at least 4.5h''' (e.g, 3h first core and 1.5h second core) and approximately '''~5.5h total sleep''' (all sleeps on schedule). This ideally would cover all SWS and a strong amount of REM sleep and the total sleep of both cores, 4.5h, is comparable with the [[E3|E3-extended]] base from SEVAMAYL. However, up to date it is unknown how flexible either core sleep will be with this total sleep, and if one core sleep always has to be stationary. For polyphasic beginners, sleepers with higher sleep needs  or those often naturally waking up at night who want a transition to DUCAMAYL, '''extended base Dual Core versions''' provide much better opportunities to comfortably flex both core sleeps to some extent. This makes DC1-extended, DC2-extended and DC3-extended good candidates for transitioning to DUCAMAYL.  

To ensure flexibility of both core sleeps and the naps, the total sleep of both cores combined should be '''at least 4.5h''' (e.g, 3h first core and 1.5h second core) and approximately '''~5.5h total sleep''' (all sleeps on schedule). This ideally would cover all SWS and a strong amount of REM sleep and the total sleep of both cores, 4.5h, is comparable with the [[E3|E3-extended]] base from SEVAMAYL. However, up to date it is unknown how flexible either core sleep will be with this total sleep, and if one core sleep always has to be stationary. For polyphasic beginners, sleepers with higher sleep needs  or those often naturally waking up at night who want a transition to DUCAMAYL, '''extended base Dual Core versions''' provide much better opportunities to comfortably flex both core sleeps to some extent. This makes DC1-extended, DC2-extended and DC3-extended good candidates for transitioning to DUCAMAYL.