How long can a person stay awake continuously? What are the effects of prolonged sleep deprivation on health and the brain?
This is what happens if you stay awake for 11 days
What happens when you don’t sleep for 11 days
The longest period a person has gone without sleep is a record of 246 hours, or about 10 days and 6 hours. The record was set by a 17-year-old boy, Randy Gardner. He was observed in a laboratory to document what happens when he goes without sleep. Prior to this, Randy was an outstanding athlete.
Just one day without sleep, you already feel irritable and tense.
Many might wonder: “Did Randy survive the experiment? Was his health affected?” Here are the answers for you:
Day 1 without sleep
After 24 hours without sleep, Randy felt sleepy, irritable, and tense.
Although the teenager did not consume alcohol, his blood alcohol concentration was at 0.10. You should know that the maximum legal blood alcohol level for driving is 0.08.
At this point, Randy’s body began to “partially sleep.” This means that while Randy remained awake, some parts of his brain were still resting, which could affect appetite and hormone levels.
Day 2 without sleep
After 48 hours without sleep, Randy fainted for a few seconds. This phenomenon is known as “sleeping briefly,” which is a protective mechanism of the brain.
Day 3 without sleep
After 72 hours without sleep, Randy’s brain could not function normally. He lost the ability to taste, smell, and feel objects.
Most people feel very depressed during this phase.
By the end of Day 3 of the 11-day period, Randy began to experience hallucinations and felt paranoid about everything. His brain officially “shut down.” Most people would also experience similar conditions if they went without sleep for three days.
After 11 days
After 11 days without sleep, Randy was nearly collapsing. The teenager slept continuously for 14 hours. After that, he woke up, drank some water, and went back to sleep.
In the following days, Randy felt extremely tired.
However, the human body is quite resilient. Randy was able to start sleeping normally again after the experiment, within 7 to 8 days, and he returned to school at that time.
The experiment was completed in 1963.
Now, Randy is 76 years old, in good health, and is a happy man. His health was not adversely affected despite going without sleep for 11 days as a child.
Nearly 35% of adults sleep less than 6 hours at night. Many even work overnight, completely missing out on nighttime sleep, leading to sleep deprivation, which affects the body in many ways, including negative impacts on the immune system, appearance, and brain function.
Puffy eyes and dark circles, increased appetite and hunger can lead to obesity, inability to concentrate on work or household tasks, and frequent infections due to a weakened immune system. These are some reasons why our bodies are affected by sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation can also lead to irritability and fatigue, as well as hinder memory and concentration, resulting in reduced reaction times, judgment, and vision. The more sleep-deprived one becomes, the more negative health impacts arise, such as weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke.
Things to note
Napping during the day
Choose the right time – napping at the wrong time of day can disrupt your normal sleep schedule. The best time of day for a quick nap is after lunch when your energy levels begin to dip.
Keep naps short – make sure you only nap for 20 to 30 minutes during the day. Longer naps of an hour or more can cause difficulties falling asleep at night.
Select a suitable location – plan your nap by choosing a comfortable room with low light and minimal noise.
Sleeping at night
Limit caffeine intake – too much caffeine after noon can keep you awake at night and hinder good sleep.
Stay active – exercise regularly so you feel tired at bedtime.
Reduce stimulation – turn off your phone and computer before going to bed (at least one hour prior) to allow your brain to wind down. If you must use your phone, enable the night mode or night light on your smartphone for easier viewing. Reading a printed book in bed is a great way to relax and calm your mind to help you sleep better.
