The Surreal Experience Of 72 Hours Without Sleep

Sleep deprivation is a condition that occurs when an individual fails to get the amount of sleep they need. This can happen due to various lifestyle, work, and environmental factors, as well as sleep disorders and other chronic medical conditions. The effects of sleep deprivation can range from changes in energy levels and mental health to a weakened immune system and impaired brain activity. Not getting enough sleep can also impact your physical appearance, ability to handle stress, and your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and depression. After 72 hours of sleep loss, an individual's urge to sleep will strengthen and they may experience more frequent and longer microsleeps, along with complex hallucinations.

Extreme sleep deprivation can lead to hallucinations and even acute psychosis

Sleep deprivation can lead to a host of issues, both physical and mental. After 24 hours without sleep, people may experience trouble concentrating, problems with cognition and thinking, lower performance at work or school, increased problems with social cues, behavioural issues, and changes in visual perception. As time goes on, the effects of sleep deprivation become more severe. After 36 hours, people may experience increased mood changes, alterations in brain function, and physical symptoms. They may also start to hallucinate.

After 48 hours, symptoms of depersonalisation and derealisation may occur, along with switches between feelings of apathy and euphoria, auditory disturbances, and feelings of being outside of one's body. After 72 hours without sleep, symptoms can become even more severe, including complex visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, and delusions. These symptoms can resemble acute psychosis or toxic delirium.

The visual modality is the most commonly affected by sleep loss, followed by somatosensory changes and auditory changes. However, it's important to note that sleep deprivation psychosis is not classified as a mental illness. It is a condition that arises from significant sleep loss, and the symptoms usually occur after several consecutive nights of minimal to no sleep.

Sleep deprivation can cause mood swings, irritability, and increased risk of depression and anxiety

Sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on your mental health, causing mood swings, irritability, and an increased risk of depression and anxiety. After 36 hours without sleep, you may experience increased mood changes, alterations in brain function, and physical symptoms. As sleep deprivation progresses, these symptoms worsen, and you may find yourself struggling to regulate your emotions.

The link between sleep deprivation and mental health is a complex one. Sleep loss can negatively affect your mental health, making it challenging to manage and process your emotions effectively. The condition can lead to an increased risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety. You may experience mood swings, irritability, and a general feeling of being on edge. These symptoms can interfere with your daily life and routines and make it challenging to complete everyday tasks.

At 48 hours without sleep, the condition progresses to extreme sleep deprivation. This is when more severe symptoms, such as hallucinations and impaired thinking, may occur. You may also experience switches between feelings of apathy and euphoria, further complicating your emotional state.

By 72 hours, or three days, of sleep deprivation, the urge to sleep becomes overwhelming, and you may experience more frequent and longer microsleeps. Your perception of reality is significantly impaired, and complex hallucinations may occur. Additionally, you may experience delusions and paranoia, further intensifying the sense of anxiety and depression.

It is important to prioritize sleep to maintain your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation can have severe consequences and negatively impact your overall well-being. If you are experiencing prolonged sleep deprivation, it is crucial to seek professional help to address the underlying causes and improve your sleep quality.

Lack of sleep can affect your immune system, making you more prone to illness

Sleep deprivation can have a detrimental effect on your immune system, making you more prone to illness. Studies have shown that those who chronically get less than seven hours of sleep a night are three times as likely to develop the common cold compared to those who get eight hours or more.

Sleep supports the immune system by promoting host defence against infection and inflammatory insults. Sleep deprivation can cause a chronic inflammatory state, increasing the risk of infectious/inflammatory pathologies, such as cardiometabolic, neoplastic, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.

Sleep deprivation can also reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. One study found that when participants were deprived of sleep in the days preceding and following vaccination, they developed a significantly lower level of antibody titers compared to those who were not sleep-deprived.

The bottom line is that there is no substitute for getting consistent, good quality sleep, especially if we want to reap the immune system benefits that sleep can offer.

Sleep-deprived people may experience microsleep, which can be dangerous if they are driving or operating machinery

Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences, and the longer a person goes without sleep, the more severe these consequences become. After 48 hours without sleep, a person is likely to experience "extreme sleep deprivation", according to Dr Michelle Drerup. At this stage, the body starts to compensate by shutting down for "microsleeps", which are 3- to 15-second bursts of rest during which the brain switches off. These microsleeps can occur involuntarily, and a person may not be consciously aware that they are happening. However, after a microsleep, a person might feel confused or disoriented.

Microsleeps can be incredibly dangerous, especially if a person is driving, operating heavy machinery, or responsible for important decision-making. Indeed, research has shown that people who have worked an overnight shift are more likely to be involved in car accidents due to drowsiness. After 72 hours without sleep, microsleeps increase in length and frequency, further increasing the risk of accidents.

In addition to microsleeps, a person who has been awake for 48 hours may experience increased irritability, anxiety, a foggy memory, and impaired thinking. Some people may even begin to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that are not really there.

Sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain by disrupting the hormones that control hunger and fullness

Sleep deprivation can have a range of effects on the body, and these become more severe the longer a person goes without sleep. After 24 hours without sleep, people may experience symptoms such as tiredness, exhaustion, and trouble concentrating. After 36 hours, the urge to sleep becomes overwhelming, and individuals may experience increased appetite and extreme fatigue.

After 72 hours without sleep, the urge to sleep strengthens and can become uncontrollable. Sleep deprivation can also cause complex hallucinations, perceptual distortions, and increased irritability. It can take days or weeks to recover from sleep deprivation, and the longer a person has been awake, the longer it will take to get back on track.

Now, let's delve into how sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain by disrupting the hormones that control hunger and fullness:

Effects on Hormones

Sleep deprivation can disrupt the production of leptin and ghrelin, two key hormones that regulate hunger and fullness. Leptin is often referred to as the "satiety hormone," as it signals to the brain that you are full. On the other hand, ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone" because it stimulates appetite and increases hunger.

Research has shown that sleep deprivation leads to decreased levels of leptin and increased levels of ghrelin. This hormonal imbalance can result in increased hunger and cravings, especially for unhealthy, calorie-dense foods.

Increased Caloric Intake

The dysregulation of leptin and ghrelin not only increases appetite but also alters food preferences. Sleep-deprived individuals tend to crave and consume more high-calorie foods, particularly those high in fat and carbohydrates. This increased caloric intake can contribute to weight gain.

One study found that participants who were sleep-deprived consumed an additional 200 to 500 calories per day compared to when they had a normal sleep duration. Another study showed that individuals who slept less tended to indulge in increased snacking, especially between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., opting for snacks high in carbohydrates.

Impact on Metabolism

In addition to hormonal disruptions, sleep deprivation can also negatively affect metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food into energy. Sleep deprivation slows down metabolism, making it harder to burn calories efficiently. This can further contribute to weight gain or hinder weight loss efforts.

Stress and Cortisol

Chronic sleep deprivation can also increase cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone, and elevated levels of cortisol have been associated with fat storage, particularly around the abdomen. Additionally, poor sleep can exacerbate stress levels, which may trigger emotional eating and unhealthy food choices.

Physical Inactivity

Sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue and decreased motivation to engage in physical activity. This reduction in physical activity can hinder calorie burning and weight management, further contributing to weight gain or making it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.

Frequently asked questions