The Mystery Of Prolonged Sleep: Why Do Some Sleep For Days?

Sleep is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. While it is unclear exactly how long humans can survive without sleep, the longest anyone has gone without it is 264 hours, or 11 days. After just 24 hours without sleep, symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and daytime sleepiness can begin. As sleep deprivation continues, the effects worsen, with hallucinations possibly starting after 36 hours, and depression after 48 hours. After 72 hours, hallucinations can intensify, and delusions may occur—symptoms similar to psychosis.

The longest anyone has ever gone without sleep

Staying awake for several days is possible, but it comes with risks. Sleep deprivation can cause cognitive impairment, hallucinations, and other side effects. The longest recorded time without sleep is approximately 264 hours, or just over 11 consecutive days, achieved by Randy Gardner in 1963/1964. Gardner experienced nausea, memory issues, moodiness, problems with concentration and short-term memory, paranoia, and hallucinations.

However, Robert McDonald set a new record in 1986 by staying awake for 453 hours and 40 minutes (18 days and 21 hours, or 19 days in some sources). After this, Guinness stopped monitoring records for sleep deprivation due to the risks involved. McDonald reported losing weight and having memory issues, but he did not appear to suffer any long-lasting negative effects and has since lived a happy life.

It is important to note that attempting to stay awake for prolonged periods can be dangerous and detrimental to one's health. Regular, quality sleep is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health.

The negative effects of sleep deprivation

Sleep is necessary for human beings to keep their central nervous system functioning properly. However, sleep deprivation can have several negative effects on the body and mind. Here are some of the negative consequences of not getting enough sleep:

Central Nervous System

Sleep is necessary to keep the central nervous system functioning properly. During sleep, pathways form between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, which help with learning and memory retention. Sleep deprivation leaves the brain exhausted, leading to difficulties in concentration and learning new things. It can also cause delays in signal transmission, reducing coordination and increasing the risk of accidents.

Immune System

During sleep, the immune system produces protective substances like antibodies and cytokines to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Sleep deprivation prevents the immune system from building up these defences, increasing the risk of infections and prolonging recovery from illnesses.

Cardiovascular System

Sleep affects processes that maintain heart and blood vessel health, including blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation levels. People who don't get enough sleep are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and insomnia has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Metabolic System

Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It also affects the hormones that control hunger and fullness, leading to weight gain and obesity.

Mental Health

Sleep deprivation negatively impacts mental health, making it harder to manage and process emotions. It increases the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and bipolar mood disorder. It can also lead to hallucinations and mania in people with bipolar disorder.

Other Effects

Other consequences of sleep deprivation include higher pain sensitivity, increased risk of colorectal cancer, and a threefold increase in the likelihood of catching a cold. Additionally, sleep deprivation can cause an increased appetite and cravings for foods associated with weight gain.

Sleep disorders and their causes

Sleep is a complex biological process. While you are sleeping, your brain and body functions are still active, performing important jobs that help you stay healthy and function optimally. Sleep disorders are conditions that disturb your normal sleep patterns, and they can affect your physical and mental health, thinking, and daily functioning.

There are over 80 different types of sleep disorders, with some of the major ones being:

• Insomnia: The most common sleep disorder, insomnia is characterised by the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Sleep apnea: A breathing disorder where breathing stops for 10 seconds or more during sleep.
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS): This disorder is marked by a tingling or prickly sensation in the legs, along with a powerful urge to move them.
• Hypersomnia: Those with hypersomnia are unable to stay awake during the day and experience extreme daytime sleepiness. This includes narcolepsy.
• Circadian rhythm disorders: These are problems with the sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult to sleep and wake at the right times.
• Parasomnia: Parasomnia involves acting in unusual ways while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking from sleep, such as walking, talking, or eating.

The causes of sleep disorders vary depending on the specific disorder. Some contributing factors include other medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, nerve disorders, and pain, as well as mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Environmental, genetic, and psychological factors can also play a role. Ageing is another factor, as older adults often get less sleep and spend less time in the deep, restful stage of sleep. They are also more easily awakened.

The symptoms of sleep disorders depend on the specific disorder but can include regularly taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, frequently waking up during the night, feeling sleepy during the day and taking naps, and experiencing vivid, dream-like states while falling asleep or dozing.

Treatments for sleep disorders vary but may include good sleep habits and lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, medication, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines for sleep apnea.

Tips to improve your sleep

While it is unclear exactly how long humans can survive without sleep, it is evident that sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being. The longest recorded time without sleep is approximately 264 hours, or just over 11 consecutive days. However, even a few days of sleep deprivation can have significant negative effects on the body and mind.

• Invest in a good mattress and bedding: A supportive mattress and pillow are crucial for ensuring proper spinal alignment and comfort during sleep. Choose bedding that feels comfortable and helps maintain a pleasant sleeping temperature.
• Create a sleep-friendly environment: Use blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out light, and minimise noise or use white noise to create a peaceful sleeping environment.
• Maintain a cool temperature: Set your thermostat to around 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit. A cooler room temperature can promote better sleep.
• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule: Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Limit naps: Naps can disrupt your sleep schedule. If you do nap, aim for 20 minutes and take them in the early afternoon.
• Wind down before bed: Engage in relaxing activities such as reading, stretching, listening to soothing music, or practising relaxation techniques like controlled breathing or meditation.
• Disconnect from devices: Avoid screens from electronic devices at least an hour before bed as they can interfere with your natural melatonin production.
• Get natural light exposure: Expose yourself to natural light during the day, preferably in the morning, to regulate your body's internal clock and promote healthy circadian rhythm.
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, but avoid intense workouts close to bedtime as they may hinder your ability to settle down for sleep.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol: Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m. and minimise alcohol consumption, especially close to bedtime, as it can disrupt sleep quality.
• Eat dinner early: Finish your dinner a few hours before bed to give your body time to digest. Avoid fatty and spicy foods late at night, and opt for a light snack if needed.
• Avoid nicotine: Nicotine is a stimulant that can disrupt sleep, so limit its use, especially in the evening.
• Reserve your bed for sleep and sex: Avoid spending leisure time in bed. Create a strong mental association between your bed and sleep to make falling asleep easier.
• Get out of bed if you can't sleep: If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed and engage in a relaxing activity in low light. Return to bed once you feel tired.
• Keep a sleep diary: Tracking your sleep patterns and habits can help identify factors that improve or disrupt your sleep.
• Consider supplements: Discuss the use of melatonin or natural sleep aids like valerian, chamomile, or glycine with your doctor if you have persistent sleep difficulties.

The short and long-term effects of sleep loss

Sleep is a vital process that is essential for life and optimal health. Sleep plays a critical role in brain function and systemic physiology, including metabolism, appetite regulation, and the functioning of immune, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems. Normal healthy sleep is characterised by sufficient duration, good quality, appropriate timing and regularity, and the absence of sleep disturbances and disorders. Despite the importance of sleep, up to 70 million people in the US and ~45 million people in Europe have a chronic sleep disorder that impacts daily functioning and health.

The long-term effects of sleep disruption are real.

The interdependent relationship between sleep and the immune system may be a factor in the effect of sleep abnormalities on common gastrointestinal disorders. Sleep disruption may worsen symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Conversely, these same gastrointestinal disorders can also contribute to sleep disruption. As seen with many other consequences of sleep disruption, the bidirectional interplay between sleep disruption and gastrointestinal disorders provides the opportunity for clinicians to treat both conditions for improved patient outcomes.

Disrupted sleep is a pervasive problem, with numerous contributing factors from lifestyle and environmental factors to psychosocial issues and iatrogenic effects. Sleep is vital to most major physiological processes, and, as such, sleep disruption has vast potential for adverse short- and long-term health consequences in otherwise healthy individuals as well as those with underlying medical conditions. In healthy individuals, short-term consequences include a heightened stress response; pain; depression; anxiety; and cognition, memory, and performance deficits. In adolescents and children, disrupted sleep can lead to poor school performance and behavior problems. Reduced quality of life may be a short-term consequence of sleep disruption in otherwise healthy individuals and those with an underlying medical condition. Long-term consequences for otherwise healthy individuals include hypertension, dyslipidemia, CVD, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and T2DM. There is also evidence that sleep disruption may increase the risk of certain cancers and death in males and suicidal adolescents. Long-term sleep disruption may also worsen the symptoms of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

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