Gina Johnson
Sleep is essential for physical and mental health, and even one night of missed sleep can have adverse effects on the body. While it is unclear exactly how long humans can survive without sleep, the longest recorded time anyone has gone without sleep is 264 hours, or just over 11 days. After just 24 hours without sleep, people may experience symptoms such as trouble concentrating, increased anxiety and irritability, and impaired decision-making. As time goes on, the effects of sleep deprivation worsen, with hallucinations possibly beginning after 36 hours, and depression after 48 hours. After 72 hours, hallucinations can intensify and delusions may occur, resembling symptoms of psychosis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Longest time without sleep | 264 hours (just over 10 days) |
| Effects after 24 hours | trouble concentrating, impaired judgment and decision-making, diminished memory and attention, impaired vision, hearing and hand-eye coordination, tremors and muscle tension, increased stress hormones |
| Effects after 36 hours | higher levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, decreased motivation, inflexible reasoning, speech impairments, increased sleepiness and fatigue, reduced concentration, reduced ability to think creatively, illusions |
| Effects after 48 hours | microsleep, depersonalization, switches between feelings of apathy and euphoria, auditory disturbances, feelings of being outside of your body, difficulty forming thoughts and sentences, hallucinations |
| Effects after 72 hours | slurred speech, unsteady walking, frequent and complex hallucinations, rapid and severe decline in mental health, symptoms of psychosis, delusions |
What You'll Learn
- After 24 hours without sleep, you may experience symptoms like trouble concentrating, impaired judgment, and decreased hand-eye coordination
- At 36 hours, the effects of sleep deprivation intensify, with increased stress hormones and higher levels of inflammatory markers in the blood
- By 48 hours, you may experience microsleep, a protective reflex where your brain forces you to fall asleep briefly
- After 72 hours, your ability to regulate emotions and accurately perceive reality is severely compromised, and you may start to hallucinate
- Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to long-term health complications, including cognitive impairment, weakened immune system, and increased risk of certain cancers
After 24 hours without sleep, you may experience symptoms like trouble concentrating, impaired judgment, and decreased hand-eye coordination
Sleep is essential for our physical, cognitive, and mental well-being. While the amount of sleep required varies from person to person, going without sleep for an extended period can have detrimental effects on the body and mind. After 24 hours without sleep, individuals may experience a range of symptoms, including:
Trouble Concentrating
The ability to focus becomes compromised, leading to difficulties in performing complex tasks. This can affect academic or work performance, increasing the likelihood of errors and accidents.
Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making
Sleep deprivation can impair one's ability to make sound decisions. Similar to intoxication, the lack of sleep affects one's judgment, increasing the risk of reckless behaviour and impaired driving.
Diminished Memory and Attention
Short-term memory loss, brain fog, and difficulties in recalling information are common after 24 hours of sleep deprivation. This can impact an individual's ability to learn and retain information effectively.
Impaired Vision, Hearing, and Hand-Eye Coordination
Sleep loss can affect sensory perception, including changes in visual and auditory functioning. This can lead to difficulties in coordinating hand and eye movements, affecting tasks that require precision and accuracy.
Increased Muscle Tension and Tremors
The body experiences higher levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, leading to increased muscle tension and tremors. This can impact physical performance and contribute to feelings of anxiety and restlessness.
Other Potential Symptoms
Other symptoms that may occur include slowed reaction time, increased risk of accidents, impaired social interactions, behavioural issues, and changes in visual perception. It is important to note that the effects of sleep deprivation can vary among individuals, and some may experience these symptoms earlier or later than others.
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At 36 hours, the effects of sleep deprivation intensify, with increased stress hormones and higher levels of inflammatory markers in the blood
At 36 hours of sleep deprivation, the effects of sleep loss intensify. This is a critical period, with a range of symptoms affecting the body and mind.
Firstly, the body's stress response is activated, resulting in increased levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This can lead to fluctuations in mood and heightened anxiety or agitation. The body also experiences physical stress, with hormone imbalances and a slowed metabolism disrupting the body's typical functions.
Sleep-deprived individuals at this stage may notice changes in their body temperature, with chills or other temperature variations. The body's oxygen intake also decreases, further adding to the physical strain.
Cognitive difficulties become more pronounced, with declining energy and motivation, and a shortened attention span. Reasoning and decision-making abilities are impaired, and speech may be affected, with individuals struggling to find the right words.
The immune system is also compromised at this stage. Inflammatory markers, which help the body fight off illnesses, circulate at higher levels. Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, which responds to immediate health threats, decreases. This leaves individuals more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.
Overall, the effects of sleep deprivation at 36 hours are wide-ranging and significant, impacting both physical and mental health. It is important to prioritize sleep to avoid these detrimental consequences.
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By 48 hours, you may experience microsleep, a protective reflex where your brain forces you to fall asleep briefly
After 48 hours without sleep, your body will likely experience microsleep. Microsleep is a protective reflex where the brain forces you to fall asleep for a few seconds, and it can happen without you even realizing it. You might find yourself nodding off, with droopy eyes and slow eyelid closure, and you may even have brief episodes of total unresponsiveness.
Microsleep can be extremely dangerous, especially if it occurs when you need to be alert, such as when driving or operating heavy machinery. If you experience microsleep while driving, you may suddenly realize that several seconds have passed without you noticing. This is a very high-risk situation that has resulted in many accidents and even fatalities.
During microsleep, your brain activity shifts from the waking 8-13 Hz (alpha wave) background rhythm to 4-7 Hz (theta wave) activity. This shift can be detected through electroencephalography (EEG).
The transition from wakefulness to sleep during microsleep is regulated by various chemicals in the body. Adenosine is associated with the 'feeling sleepy' side of microsleep, while dopamine promotes wakefulness and reduces microsleep events.
If you find yourself experiencing microsleep, it's important to prioritize getting a healthy amount of sleep, which is typically seven to nine hours for adults. You can also make lifestyle adjustments, such as avoiding caffeine and other stimulants, turning off lights and sounds, and avoiding stimulating activities before bed.
If you continue to experience microsleep or feel constantly sleep-deprived, consult a doctor, as you may have an underlying sleep disorder.
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After 72 hours, your ability to regulate emotions and accurately perceive reality is severely compromised, and you may start to hallucinate
After 72 hours without sleep, your ability to regulate emotions is severely compromised. You may feel irritable, anxious, and depressed, and you may struggle with executive functioning and thinking. Your ability to accurately perceive reality may also be affected, leading to illusions and hallucinations. You may see or hear things that aren't there, struggle to interpret what is there, or have difficulty reading other people's emotions.
At this stage of sleep deprivation, your body is under extreme stress, and your ability to think clearly and make decisions is significantly impaired. You may find it difficult to focus on conversations, your work, or even your own thoughts. You will likely feel an overwhelming urge to sleep, and your heart rate may increase.
The effects of sleep deprivation on your immune system also intensify after 72 hours. Your body finds it harder to fight off illnesses, and your risk of getting sick increases.
Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to serious health complications, including cognitive impairment, dementia, weakened immune system, impaired glucose tolerance, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiac events, and stroke. It can also increase the risk of accidents and injuries, as your reaction time and decision-making abilities are compromised.
It is important to prioritize sleep and seek medical advice if you are regularly experiencing sleep deprivation or if it is affecting your daily life and health.
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Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to long-term health complications, including cognitive impairment, weakened immune system, and increased risk of certain cancers
Sleep is essential for our physical, cognitive, and mental well-being. While it is unclear exactly how long humans can survive without sleep, the longest recorded time is 264 hours, or just over 10 days. The effects of sleep deprivation can be felt after just one night, and severe symptoms can develop within a few days.
Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to long-term health complications, including:
- Cognitive impairment: Sleep is necessary for the brain to function properly. Sleep deprivation leaves the brain exhausted, impairing its ability to process information, concentrate, and learn new things. It also negatively affects mental abilities and emotional state, compromising decision-making processes and creativity.
- Weakened immune system: Sleep deprivation prevents the immune system from building up its forces, making the body more susceptible to invaders and increasing recovery time from illnesses. It also increases the levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, which can lead to health issues.
- Increased risk of certain cancers : Research has shown a link between long-term insomnia and a higher chance of developing certain cancers.
In addition to the above, chronic sleep deprivation can also lead to other health issues, such as an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and mood disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
After one full day without sleep, you may experience symptoms such as trouble concentrating, lower performance at work or school, increased problems with social cues, behavioural issues, and changes in visual perception.
After a day and a half without sleep, you may start to experience increased mood changes, alterations in brain function, and physical symptoms such as tremors and muscle tension. You might also begin to hallucinate.
After two days without sleep, you may experience symptoms of depersonalisation and derealisation, which are problems with accurately perceiving yourself and reality. You may also switch between feelings of apathy and euphoria, and have difficulty forming thoughts and sentences.
After three days without sleep, you may experience symptoms similar to those of acute psychosis, or a loss of touch with reality. This includes complex visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, and delusions.
Short-term sleep loss may have milder effects, such as an increased chance of injuries, accidents, and reckless risk-taking, reduced performance at work or school, and problems with interpersonal relationships. Chronic sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can have long-term health complications, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and certain cancers.
