Toying with hormones sounds bloody dangerous to me. Perhaps not on a short-term scale like your experiment, but longer term, side effects could mount.

Interesting write-up, but I wouldn't be tempted myself. I get ample sleep and I can tell when I haven't been fully rested. I agree that it is important - in fact,

I've read somewhere that sleep also allows the body to "clean" the fluids surrounding the brain, which I deem to be pretty critical.

Curious if you've ever tried sensory deprivation, usually delivered in the form of an enclosed heated tank of salt water, made so much so that you float easily with little effort.

Its quite interesting and I recommend giving it a try.