In-game icon
Sleep or Sleeping is an action performed by pressing the appropriate button.
Sleeping is a required function to keep your hominid alive. If you do not sleep for long enough, you will begin to have difficultly performing actions and encounter the 
Sleepiness negative status effect.
The need for sleep will rise over time and the need to sleep will increase faster if your Hominid is 
hungry or 
thirsty. If the need for sleep is high enough, the Hominid will get very sleepy. This is indicated by a screen fading out to black on and off again as if the Hominid was struggling to keep its eyes open.
While the screen fades black, your hearing will also be impaired and the "ping" sound needed for successful completion of tasks will not be heard anymore (or will be dampened). This can leave you very vulnerable to injury and death.
Learning specific neurons increases the positive benefits of sleeping.
Mechanics[ | ]
Lie Down in a Sleep Spot or anywhere the Lie Down action appears. Press the appropriate button to go to sleep and this will allow you to replenish your Sleep.
Your hominid will begin to dream and time will pass. Your hominid will awaken once sleep has been completed.
Sleep spots are the most effective way to rest and they can be built anywhere. However, a spot where predators cannot get to you is highly recommenced as predators will sneak up on you as you sleep.
It is possible to be interrupted during sleep by hostile threats. While sleeping your hominid is exposed and cannot defend against attacks.
Notes[ | ]
Dreams during sleep are a way of giving you a sneak peek about upcoming events and places in the game. You can be at the start of the game in the Hidden Waterfall Oasis and dream about the 
Miocene Pelican in the 
Ocean biome near the end of the game.
Dreams use the static images from the Evolution Feats for subject matter. Each static dream image uses a shimmering visual effect to make them appear to be moving (even though they are not moving).
Neurons[ | ]
The following neurons impact sleep.
| Image | Neuron | Neuronal Branch | Genetic Mutation? |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Deep Sleep (NE 06) | Settlement | No | When sleeping in a sleep spot, less time is needed to fully recover. TAP (button) to lie down when close to a sleep spot, then HOLD (button) to sleep. |
 |
Deep Sleep (NE 07) | Settlement | No | When sleeping in a sleep spot, less time is needed to fully recover. TAP (button) to lie down when close to a sleep spot, then HOLD (button) to sleep. |
 |
Sleep - Healing Efficiency (BB NE 01) | Settlement | Yes | The healing virtues of sleeping in a sleep spot are increased. TAP (button) to lie down when close to a sleep spot, then HOLD (button) to sleep. |
|
Sleep - Healing Efficiency (BB NE 01-2) | Settlement | Yes | The healing virtues of sleeping in a sleep spot are increased. TAP (button) to lie down when close to a sleep spot, then HOLD (button) to sleep. |
|
Sleep - Healing Efficiency (BB NE 01-3) | Settlement | Yes | The healing virtues of sleeping are maximized. |
 |
Sleep Recovery (NE 08) | Settlement | No | The healing virtues of sleeping in a sleep spot are increased. TAP (button) to lie down when close to a sleep spot, then HOLD (button) to sleep. |
 |
Well Rested Boost (NE 09) | Settlement | No | Less energy is burnt for all actions done after awakening, for a limited time. |
|
Well Rested Boost (NE 09-2) | Settlement | No | Less energy is burnt for all actions done after awakening, for a limited time. |