Killers, Cults and Queens

10: The Russian Sleep Experiment

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Episode notes

Cheryl Hole and Nikki Druce are diving back into the world of Creepypastas to uncover the science behind the internet's most popular spooky sleep story… The Russian Sleep Experiment. After researching a new stimulant on prisoners of war, soviet researchers find themselves in a gruesome tryst with violent and sleep mad creatures… but was it all as it seemed? And what actually happens when you deprive yourself of sleep for say, 11 days? Cheryl and Nikki are going to find out. Expect two very sleep deprived hosts, an extra helping of delirium and some seriously ooky spooky behaviour. 

This episode contains graphic details of violence and murder, including mentions of suicide, as is not intended for all audiences. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

For all things Killers, Cults and Queens, head over to @killerscultsqueens on Instagram. And follow Cheryl Hole @cherylholequeen and Nikki Druce @nikkimacabrelondon.

Produced by Alexandra Jueno at Audioboom Studios. 

If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, please consider contacting the following resources:

The Samaritans helpline: 116 123
Confidential Emotional Support Line: 01708 765200
Sane mental health line: 0300 304 7000

The knowledge out there on this topic is vast, so if your interest is peaked by this episode please take a look at our sources:
Russian Sleep Experiment - EXPLAINED
Human Sleep Experiment That Went Horribly Wrong
Russian Sleep Experiment - Wikipedia
What Was the Russian Sleep Experiment?
The Truth About the Russian Sleep Experiment - What Probably Happened
The Sleep Deprivation Publicity Stunt That Drove One Man Crazy
Peter Tripp - Wikipedia
Morvan's syndrome - Wikipedia
Mammoth Cave - Discovering the Beauty and Charm of the Wilderness - The University of Chicago Library
Nathaniel Kleitman - Wikipedia
Mammoth Cave National Park - Wikipedia
Cave studies: Isolation from night and day provided insight about circadian rhythms | Trickle.app
The boy who stayed awake for 11 days - BBC Future
Shattered (British TV series) - Wikipedia
Shattered: legacy of a reality TV experiment in extreme sleep deprivation
How the CIA tortured its detainees
Awake: The Million Dollar Game - Wikipedia