The Science of nuyu

At its core, nuyu is a question: can we build a better, more accessible tool for well-being? The answer lies in the science, and this is where we share our work. Below, you'll find the research on sleep, habits, and scent that inspired this project. But this isn't a lecture. It's an invitation. As an open-source project rooted in the principles of DeSci, our research is a collaborative effort. We invite you to learn with us, challenge our assumptions, and help us build this tool in the open.

Help Us Build the Future of Wellness

Our research is community-driven. Your answers to our 5-question survey provide the data we need to build a better tool and prove its value. Be a part of the project from day one.

Take the 5-Question Survey →

Join the DeSci Movement: Shape the Future of Sleep

nuyu is more than a product; it’s a commitment to open and collaborative research. We invite you to be part of the decentralized science (DeSci) movement to collectively advance our understanding of sleep.

Contribute to the Research

Our initial research relies on understanding the real-world challenges people face. By taking our 5-question survey, you provide the essential data that fuels our project and helps us build a better tool for everyone.

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Build with the Community

This is an open-source project. After our Kickstarter, all hardware schematics and software code will be released to the public. Fork it, improve it, and help us build the ultimate tool for better living.

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From Research to a Real-World Solution

Understanding the science is the first step. The next is applying it. Here’s how the nuyu project translates these powerful scientific principles into tangible features designed to help you.

Engineering for Your Circadian Rhythm

The science shows that light is a primary regulator of your internal clock. That's why nuyu features a sunrise-simulating light to naturally boost morning cortisol and a time-based night light to support evening melatonin production.

A Toolkit for Olfactory Entrainment

Targeted Memory Reactivation requires distinct cues. That's why nuyu has two independent wells for separate "Wake" and "Sleep" scents, allowing you to build the associative links needed to reinforce your habits while you sleep.

Personalized for Your Biology

Chronotype matters for complex habits. Take our validated quiz to help you understand your unique sleep profile and tailor your routines for maximum effectiveness.

The Scientific Pillars of nuyu

Our approach is an integration of four distinct but interconnected fields of science. Explore them to understand how nuyu works.

Illustration of brain waves during sleep

The Science of Sleep

Sleep isn't just rest; it's a critical maintenance period where the brain cleanses itself, consolidates memories, and regulates emotions.

Illustration of the habit loop

The Science of Habit

Habits form by offloading tasks to the brain's automatic systems. Leveraging natural rhythms, like the morning cortisol peak, can significantly accelerate this process.

Illustration of the olfactory pathway to the brain

The Science of Scent

Smell has a unique 'superhighway' to the brain's emotion and memory centers, making it an ideal tool to create powerful associations for new behaviors.

Illustration showing Sleep, Habit and Scent combined

The nuyu Synthesis

We integrate these principles into a 24-hour system, using scent to link waking habits with nighttime memory consolidation (TMR) for accelerated learning.

Discover Your Sleep Fingerprint

Ready for a deeper dive? This 5-minute, scientifically-validated quiz analyzes your sleep across 7 key dimensions to reveal your personal sleep archetype.

Scientific Questions