Evie Summers
Sleep is essential for health and well-being, and while it may seem intriguing to test the limits of sleep deprivation, it can have severe consequences. The effects of sleep deprivation can start after just 24 hours, with increased risk of errors and accidents in everyday tasks. As humans, we are naturally curious about our limits, and some have attempted to go without sleep for extended periods. The current world record stands at 264 hours, or just over 11 days, set by Randy Gardner in 1964 as part of a science fair project. However, the dangers of sleep deprivation are very real, and it can lead to cognitive impairment, hallucinations, and even death in rare cases. So, while it is possible to stay awake for a week, it is not advisable due to the potential health risks involved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Longest recorded time without sleep | 264 hours (approximately 11 days) |
| Effects of sleep deprivation | Mood changes, hallucinations, irritability, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, paranoia, delusions, violent behaviour, slurred speech, unstable walking, impaired cognitive function, distorted perception of reality, reduced immunity, increased risk of obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease |
| Time taken to experience effects of sleep deprivation | Most people will begin to experience the effects after 24 hours |
| Recommended maximum time without sleep | Adults should stay awake no longer than 17 hours according to the CDC |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep deprivation symptoms
Sleep deprivation can have a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, and the longer a person goes without sleep, the more intense these symptoms become. After 24 hours without sleep, a person will likely feel tired and exhausted, and their ability to perform complex tasks will decline. This is the first stage of sleep deprivation, and it is comparable to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10%, which is above the legal limit to drive in most states.
After 48 hours without sleep, a person will begin to experience microsleeps, which are periods of light sleep that can last up to 30 seconds. During these microsleeps, the brain enters a sleep-like state, and after a microsleep, a person might feel confused or disoriented. Sleep deprivation at this stage also begins to disrupt the immune system, with inflammatory markers circulating at increased levels, and natural killer (NK) cell activity decreasing.
After 72 hours without sleep, or three days, a person will experience an overwhelming urge to sleep, and their ability to think and perform executive functions will be profoundly limited. Their perception of reality may be severely distorted, resembling acute psychosis, and they may experience complex hallucinations.
Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to more severe symptoms, including mental impairment, with a person becoming less alert and struggling to focus their attention, as well as mood changes, with an increased likelihood of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also negatively impact the central nervous system, disrupting how the body sends and processes information, and impairing coordination and increasing the risk of accidents. Sleep deprivation can also cause an increase in hand tremors, uncontrollable eye movements (nystagmus), trouble speaking clearly, drooping eyelids (ptosis), and impulsive or reckless behavior.
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The world record for staying awake
Staying awake for a week or more is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe health issues and even death in rare cases. Sleep deprivation can occur after just 24 hours of no sleep, and the symptoms tend to worsen with each passing hour.
However, it is important to note that the effects of sleep deprivation can vary from person to person, and breaking the world record for staying awake is not recommended due to the potential health risks involved. In fact, Gardner himself started experiencing serious insomnia around 2007, decades after his initial record-breaking attempt, and attributed his participation in the sleep study as the cause.
Since Gardner's record-breaking feat, several people have attempted to break the record. Toimi Silvo from Hamina, Finland, reportedly stayed awake for 11.5 days or 276 hours in February 1964, surpassing Gardner's record. However, it is unclear whether this attempt was officially recognized. Maureen Weston from Peterborough, England, also made an attempt during a rocking-chair marathon in May 1977, staying awake for 449 hours.
Due to the potential health risks associated with sleep deprivation, Guinness World Records no longer accepts attempts for this category as of 1997. The last Guinness World Record for sleep deprivation was awarded in 1986 to Robert McDonald, who managed to stay awake for almost 19 days or 453 hours and 40 minutes.
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Microsleeps and their dangers
Sleep deprivation can occur after just 24 hours of no sleep, and the longer you spend awake, the more severe the symptoms become. Microsleeps are fleeting, uncontrollable episodes of sleep that can last anywhere from a fraction of a second up to 30 seconds, and they are often a direct result of sleep deprivation. During microsleep, the brain rapidly alternates between being asleep and awake, and the body can enter a state of local sleep where neurons in some regions of the brain shut down while others remain awake. While microsleeps can occur anywhere and at any time, they are particularly dangerous when performing tasks that require concentration, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.
The dangers of microsleep are well-documented, especially in relation to driving. If you doze off for just three seconds while driving at 60 miles per hour, you can travel 300 feet in the wrong direction, potentially veering off the road or into oncoming traffic. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an estimated 16.5% of fatal crashes in the US involve a drowsy driver. Microsleep can also have serious consequences in other fields, such as medicine, where sleep-deprived workers on night shifts or extended hours are more prone to needlesticks, injuries with sharp instruments, and other medical errors.
The urge to microsleep strengthens with prolonged sleep loss, and it can become uncontrollable after 72 hours without sleep. Sleep deprivation not only increases the frequency and duration of microsleep episodes but also impairs cognitive function, perception of reality, and immune system function. It can lead to hallucinations, complex hallucinations resembling acute psychosis, and an overwhelming urge to sleep.
To prevent microsleep, it is crucial to prioritize sleep hygiene and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. This includes practices such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding stimulants like caffeine and nicotine before bedtime, and refraining from electronic device use close to bedtime. Improving sleep quality and duration can effectively reduce the occurrence of microsleep and its associated dangers.
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Sleep-wake cycle disruption
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders can cause difficulty falling asleep or waking up at desired times and are characterised by a person's inability to fall asleep and wake up at a normal time, known as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS). Shift work sleep disorder is a common type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder, affecting at least one-third of shift workers. This occurs when a person's circadian rhythm cannot adjust to the unusual sleep-wake schedule required by their job, resulting in disrupted sleep, insomnia, tiredness, and falling asleep at unwanted times.
To prevent and treat sleep-wake cycle disruption, it is important to maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends or days off. This involves going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day. Other healthy lifestyle changes include improving sleep habits, such as removing electronic devices from the bedroom, keeping the bedroom dark and at a comfortable temperature, and avoiding stimulants before bedtime.
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Sleep loss and hallucinations
Sleep is essential for health, and deep sleep is crucial for feeling rested and staying healthy. Sleep deprivation can occur after 24 hours of no sleep, and the effects of sleep deprivation can vary from person to person. While missing 24 hours of sleep is not uncommon, it can negatively affect a person's mood, energy levels, and ability to handle complex tasks. The effects of sleep deprivation intensify the longer a person stays awake.
After 48 hours of sleep deprivation, it will be even harder to stay awake, and the urge to sleep will strengthen and possibly become uncontrollable. Sleep deprivation will significantly impair perception, and hallucinations may become more complex. Microsleeps, or periods of light sleep that can last up to 30 seconds, may also occur during this time.
After 72 hours without sleep, most people will experience an overwhelming urge to sleep, and many will be unable to stay awake on their own. Sleep loss of this duration can profoundly limit cognitive functions such as multitasking, remembering details, and paying attention. Perceptual distortions, anxiety, irritability, depersonalization, and temporal disorientation are also common symptoms of sleep loss at this stage.
After 90 hours without sleep, complex hallucinations and disordered thinking may occur. Finally, after 144 hours (6 days) to 168 hours (7 days) without sleep, symptoms of sleep deprivation will resemble those of acute psychosis or toxic delirium.
It is important to note that the amount of sleep a person needs can vary, and chronic sleep deprivation can occur when an individual does not get enough sleep based on their unique needs. Additionally, the degree of sleep deprivation required to experience side effects can depend on an individual's sleep needs and genetic predisposition toward hallucinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep deprivation occurs when a person does not get enough sleep. Most people will begin to experience the effects of sleep deprivation after 24 hours.
The symptoms of sleep deprivation can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include daytime sleepiness, anxiety, irritability, and cognitive impairment. After 48 hours, sleep deprivation can lead to an uncontrollable urge to sleep and microsleeps, which are short periods of light sleep that can last up to 30 seconds. After 72 hours, symptoms can become more severe, including slurred speech, unsteady walking, and hallucinations.
It is unclear exactly how long a person can survive without sleep. The current world record for the longest time without sleep is held by Randy Gardner, who stayed awake for 264 hours, or just over 11 consecutive days, in 1964.
Staying up for one week without sleep would be extremely dangerous and could lead to severe health risks. The effects of sleep deprivation intensify the longer a person stays awake, and can include cognitive impairment, hallucinations, and other mental and physical health issues. Regular or chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
