The Ultimate Sleep Deprivation Record: How Long Can Humans Last?

Sleep is essential for our health and well-being, but some people have pushed the boundaries of how long they can go without it. The current record for the longest period without sleep is held by Robert McDonald, who stayed awake for 453 hours and 40 minutes (18 days and 21 hours) in 1986. McDonald's feat captivated the world and highlighted the resilience of the human body and mind. However, due to the inherent risks of sleep deprivation, Guinness World Records stopped monitoring this category after McDonald's achievement. Prior to McDonald, the record was held by Randy Gardner, who, as a 17-year-old in 1963-1964, stayed awake for 264 hours (11 days and 24 minutes). Let's delve into the stories of these individuals who defied sleep and explore the impacts of their extraordinary feats.

Randy Gardner: 11 days without sleep

In December 1963, 17-year-old Randy Gardner and his friends Bruce McAllister and Joe Marciano embarked on a daring school science project—to stay awake for as long as possible. The experiment aimed to explore the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive abilities and performance. Gardner, a self-proclaimed "science nerd", was determined to break the existing world record of 260 hours, held by a DJ in Honolulu.

The project began during the winter break of Point Loma High School in San Diego, California, where Gardner resided with his military family. Gardner recruited McAllister and Marciano to stay awake in rotations and help him stay awake. The first two days were relatively easy, but on the third day, Gardner experienced nausea and memory issues. He combated the nausea with citrus fruits, eating tangerines and oranges.

As the experiment progressed, it gained media attention, becoming one of the most talked-about stories in the American national press, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and a visit by The Beatles. The attention helped keep Gardner awake, as he interacted with reporters and their cameras and questions.

A few days into the experiment, Stanford University sleep researcher Dr. William C. Dement joined the endeavour. He helped monitor Gardner's health and kept him occupied with activities like basketball and pinball. Lt. Cmdr. John J. Ross, a U.S. Navy medic, also assisted in observing Gardner's condition.

As the days went by, Gardner experienced significant cognitive and behavioural changes. He became moody, had problems with concentration and short-term memory, and exhibited signs of paranoia and hallucinations. His analytical abilities, perception, motivation, memory, and motor control all declined. Despite these challenges, Gardner persevered and broke the world record on January 8, 1964, staying awake for 11 days and 24 minutes (approximately 264 hours).

After breaking the record, Gardner was taken to a naval hospital where his brain waves were monitored. He slept for 14 hours and 46 minutes, waking up naturally around 8:40 p.m. He stayed awake until about 7:30 p.m. the next day and then slept for an additional 10 and a half hours. Follow-up sleep recordings taken at one, six, and ten weeks post-experiment showed no significant differences from his normal sleep patterns.

Gardner's experiment demonstrated the effects of extreme sleep deprivation, which included serious cognitive and behavioural changes. However, it was also claimed that the main effect was mood changes associated with tiredness, as Gardner was able to beat Dr. Dement at pinball on the tenth day.

Decades later, in 2007, Gardner began experiencing serious insomnia, which he attributed to his participation in the sleep deprivation experiment decades earlier. He struggled with insomnia for years before regaining the ability to sleep, but only for about six hours a night.

Randy Gardner's record-breaking feat of staying awake for 11 days without sleep highlighted the importance of sleep and the consequences of its deprivation. It also contributed to the understanding of "microsleeps" and the detrimental effects of prolonged sleep deprivation.

Robert McDonald: 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes

In 1986, Robert McDonald went without sleep for 18 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes (453 hours and 40 minutes). This feat earned him a Guinness World Record for the longest period of wakefulness.

McDonald broke the previous record, which was held by Randy Gardner, who stayed awake for 11 days in 1963/1964. After McDonald's achievement, Guinness stopped monitoring sleep deprivation records due to the inherent health risks associated with sleep deprivation. They stated that nobody has broken McDonald's record since.

Sleep deprivation can have serious negative consequences on the body and mind. Randy Gardner, for example, experienced moodiness, concentration issues, short-term memory loss, paranoia, and hallucinations. In his 60s, Gardner also developed insomnia, which he believes was caused by his sleep deprivation experiment decades earlier.

Attempting to break McDonald's record can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Despite this, some people have tried to surpass his record, but none have succeeded.

Guinness World Records: no longer monitors sleep records

The Guinness World Records has discontinued various record titles since its inception in 1955. The organisation has stopped monitoring certain records due to ethical, safety, and environmental concerns. One such category is the "longest time without sleep," which Guinness no longer tracks due to the inherent health risks associated with sleep deprivation.

The current holder of the "time awake" record, according to the Guinness World Records, is Randy Gardner, who stayed awake for 264 consecutive hours, or 11 days and 24 minutes, in 1964. Gardner's record-breaking endeavour was closely observed by Stanford sleep researcher Dr. William Dement, who noted significant cognitive and behavioural changes in the teenager. These included mood swings, difficulties with concentration and memory, paranoia, and hallucinations. Despite these short-term effects, Gardner appeared to recover fully, experiencing no long-term physical or psychological consequences. However, in 2017, Gardner reported developing insomnia in his 60s, which he attributed to his participation in the sleep study decades earlier.

Following Gardner's record, there were several attempts to break it, with some individuals reportedly staying awake for even longer periods. For instance, Robert McDonald claimed to have stayed awake for 453 hours and 40 minutes (18 days and 21 hours) in 1986, and Maureen Western allegedly stayed awake for 449 hours during a rocking-chair marathon in 1977. However, Guinness ceased monitoring sleep deprivation records after McDonald's feat due to the harmful effects of sleep deprivation, marking a shift in policy that reflects a greater understanding of the critical role of sleep in human health.

Sleep deprivation can have severe cognitive and physical impacts, as evidenced by Gardner's experience. During his experiment, he exhibited nausea, memory issues, irritability, and a shortened attention span. Dr. Dement noted a decline in Gardner's analytical abilities, perception, motivation, and motor control. These findings underscore the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being and highlight the potential dangers of extreme sleep deprivation.

By discontinuing the monitoring of sleep records, Guinness World Records acknowledges the health risks associated with sleep deprivation and prioritises the safety and well-being of individuals. This decision aligns with the organisation's commitment to discouraging reckless or dangerous behaviour that could cause harm to oneself or others. While the "longest time without sleep" record may be intriguing, the potential consequences of attempting to break it far outweigh any benefits or recognition.

Sleep deprivation: health risks and negative effects

Sleep deprivation can be caused by stress, depression, poor eating habits, or a condition such as sleep apnea. While getting a bad night of sleep now and then is annoying, it is not a health risk. However, chronic poor sleep may increase the likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries, and prostate. Poor sleep can also affect the ability to function while performing daily tasks like working or driving.

Sleep deprivation can affect your health in far-reaching and surprising ways. For example, it can lead to a 36% increased risk for colorectal cancer, a 3x increased risk for type 2 diabetes, a 48% increased risk of developing heart disease, and a 50% higher risk for obesity if you get less than 5 hours of sleep nightly.

Sleep deprivation can also cause higher levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, lower levels of the appetite-control hormone leptin, and an increased risk of high blood pressure.

Additionally, sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on your mood, memory, and cognitive abilities. It can lead to moodiness, problems with concentration and short-term memory, paranoia, hallucinations, and a severely diminished attention span.

Overall, sleep deprivation can have serious consequences for health, performance, and safety. It is important to prioritize good sleep hygiene and recognize the significance of rest in maintaining physical and mental vitality.

Fatal familial insomnia: a rare genetic disorder

Staying awake for an extended period is an impressive feat, but it also highlights the importance of sleep. Sleep is essential for our mental and physical health, and prolonged sleep deprivation can have severe repercussions.

Now, let's shift our focus to a rare genetic disorder known as Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI). This debilitating condition affects an estimated 1 to 2 people per million worldwide and is characterised by progressively worsening insomnia, along with a host of other challenging symptoms.

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) is a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder that primarily affects the thalamus, the region of the brain responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. This condition is caused by a mutation in the PRNP gene, which results in the production of abnormal prion proteins. These faulty proteins accumulate in the thalamus, disrupting its function and leading to severe insomnia.

The onset of FFI symptoms typically occurs between the ages of 20 and 70, with an average age of 40. The initial signs include difficulty sleeping, nervous system overactivity (manifesting as high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and anxiety), hallucinations, and involuntary muscle twitching. As the disease progresses, patients may experience speech and coordination problems, weight loss, and dementia.

The disease has four distinct stages. The first stage is marked by worsening insomnia, panic attacks, paranoia, and phobias, and it lasts for about four months. This is followed by a stage of hallucinations and panic attacks, which persists for approximately five months. The third stage, lasting around three months, is characterised by a complete inability to sleep and rapid weight loss. The final stage is dementia, during which the person becomes unresponsive or mute, and this stage typically lasts for about six months before death.

The progression of FFI is relentless, and there is currently no cure. Treatment options are limited to symptomatic relief and palliative care, with medications providing only temporary relief from insomnia and muscle spasms. The average life expectancy after the onset of symptoms ranges from a few months to a couple of years, underscoring the urgency of ongoing research to identify effective treatments and extend the lives of those diagnosed with FFI.

In summary, Fatal Familial Insomnia is an extremely rare and debilitating genetic disorder that severely disrupts the sleep-wake cycle and leads to a host of physical and mental challenges. The relentless progression of the disease and the lack of effective treatments make it a critical focus of ongoing medical research.

Frequently asked questions