Sleepless nights are a common experience for many people, from parents caring for newborns to students cramming for exams, or individuals grappling with insomnia. While most of us understand the necessity of sleep, many wonder if it’s possible to forego it for a while. The short answer is that you can, but the consequences are far from pleasant.
The World Records for Sleep Deprivation
Randy Gardner, a high school student, famously set a well-documented record for sleep deprivation in 1963. Gardner stayed awake for an astonishing 264 hours, approximately 11 days, as part of a science fair project. Assisted by two classmates, he aimed to surpass the 260 sleepless hours achieved by a radio DJ, a feat they had heard about on the radio. Gardner, who was just 17 years old at the time, became the subject of media attention and scientific scrutiny.
Stanford sleep researcher William Dement and Navy medic John Ross joined the observation, conducting cognitive tests and evaluations. Upon reaching 264 hours without sleep, Gardner underwent a brain scan that showed no immediate damage. He then slept for 14 hours to recover.
Gardner’s record has since been broken multiple times, with the last verified attempt being by stuntman Robert McDonald in 1986, who managed to stay awake for nearly 19 days. However, in 1997, the Guinness Book of World Records decided to stop monitoring such attempts due to the severe health risks associated with extreme sleep deprivation. They recognized that publicizing a record might encourage dangerous attempts to surpass it.
For those interested in the experiences of these record-holders, Guinness provides detailed accounts on their website. Notably, Peter Tripp, a DJ who attempted to break the record in the 1950s, suffered severe hallucinations, potentially exacerbated by the Ritalin he used to stay awake. While some hallucinations could be attributed to the drug, sleep deprivation alone can also induce similar symptoms.
The Effects of Extreme Sleep Deprivation
The experiences of world record holders reveal the severe impacts of prolonged sleep deprivation. Reports from these individuals often include nausea, irritability, hallucinations, delusions, and a drastically reduced attention span. For example, Roger Guy English, who broke the record in 1974 using only caffeine, experienced persistent hallucinations even after his experiment concluded. Maureen Weston, another record-breaker, had similar experiences but recovered once she resumed normal sleep patterns.
According to a StatPearls guide on sleep deprivation, chronic sleep loss (which includes inadequate sleep over an extended period) can lead to increased mortality and morbidity, poor performance in daily activities, increased accidents, and a lower quality of life. The guide emphasizes that sleep deprivation significantly affects overall human health and well-being.
How Long Can the Average Person Go Without Sleep?
For practical insights, military guidelines offer valuable information. Military personnel often face assignments that make sleep difficult or impossible, leading to well-developed policies on managing sleep deprivation. A Pentagon report defines “total sleep deprivation” as staying awake for 24 hours or missing a normal sleep period. This can occur if, for example, you stay up all night and remain awake into the following morning.
“Partial sleep deprivation” refers to getting less than seven hours of sleep per night due to shortened or interrupted sleep periods. A week of such sleep is termed “chronic partial sleep deprivation.” Each 24 hours of total sleep deprivation is associated with a “25-35% degradation in cognitive task performance.” This means that cognitive abilities steadily decline with prolonged wakefulness, impacting decision-making and other mental functions.
Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of traumatic brain injuries, emotional exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, and worsened PTSD symptoms. It exacerbates depressive symptoms and can lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts. Consequently, military guidelines recommend ensuring eight hours of sleep within each 24-hour period when possible. If continuous sleep is not feasible, “banking” sleep in advance and allowing time for recovery sleep afterward is advised.
What If I Can’t Sleep?
Chronic insomnia differs significantly from the occasional sleepless night experienced by students or soldiers. Insomnia can have various causes, and seeking medical evaluation is crucial to identifying and addressing underlying issues.
Interestingly, some individuals believe they haven’t slept at all when, in reality, they have experienced “microsleeps”—brief moments of sleep lasting a few seconds. The CDC notes that sleep-deprived individuals may be unaware of these microsleeps, which can occur involuntarily.
Sleep specialists suggest focusing on relaxation rather than fixating on the clock. Relaxation techniques can help induce sleep, and if daytime sleepiness or other sleep-related concerns persist, consulting a doctor is advisable. Recognizing and addressing sleep issues is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.
