Buzz
Many people experience nights without sleep: new parents caring for infants, students pulling all-nighters for exams, or individuals dealing with insomnia. While we all understand the importance of sleep, is it possible to skip it temporarily? Yes, to some degree, but the effects are far from pleasant.
Records for staying awake
Randy Gardner, the most well-known figure in sleep deprivation history—though no longer the record holder—is celebrated for the most thoroughly documented case of extreme wakefulness: 264 hours, or roughly 11 days.
As NPR reports, Gardner, along with two classmates, embarked on a science fair project in 1963 aiming to surpass the 260-hour sleepless record set by a radio DJ. Gardner, chosen by a coin toss, stayed awake while his peers observed and assessed his mental state. He was just 17 years old at the time.
The experiment attracted media coverage, drawing the attention of Stanford sleep expert William Dement and Navy medic John Ross, who began monitoring Gardner. Upon reaching 264 hours, Gardner underwent a brain scan, which confirmed his health, and then slept for 14 hours straight.
Gardner's record was later surpassed several times, most notably in 1986 by stuntman Robert McDonald, who stayed awake for almost 19 days. This remains the last officially documented record. However, the Guinness Book of World Records ceased tracking this category in 1997, citing the dangers of extreme sleep deprivation and the risks of encouraging such attempts.
For those curious about the experiences of record holders, Guinness provides a detailed account on their website. Notably, Peter Tripp, a DJ from the 1950s, suffered severe hallucinations, potentially linked to the Ritalin he used to stay awake, rather than solely from sleep deprivation. (However, hallucinations can still occur from prolonged wakefulness alone.)
The consequences of severe sleep deprivation
According to the Guinness website, many record holders described feeling nauseated and irritable. By the fourth day, a scientist monitoring Gardner noted that he exhibited “hallucinations, delusions, and a severely limited attention span.”
Roger Guy English, who broke the record in 1974 without using stimulants other than caffeine, recounted persistent hallucinations that continued even after the experiment ended. Similarly, Maureen Weston, another record holder, experienced hallucinations during her sleep deprivation but claimed a full recovery after getting adequate rest.
A StatPearls guide on sleep deprivation highlights that chronic sleep deficiency (which involves insufficient sleep over an extended period) can result in “higher mortality and illness rates, impaired performance in daily activities leading to more accidents and injuries, reduced quality of life, diminished family well-being, and decreased use of healthcare services.” It further states: “The impact of sleep loss on human health and well-being is profound.”
What’s the maximum duration an average person can stay awake?
For practical insights, consider military guidelines. The military requires its personnel to remain functional despite assignments that often hinder sleep, leading to established policies on the matter. A Pentagon report on sleep deprivation defines “total sleep deprivation” as being awake for 24 hours or missing your usual sleep period, regardless of timing. For example, if you typically rise at 7 a.m. but stay up all night gaming (or facing combat), by the next 7 a.m., you would be classified as totally sleep-deprived.
The term “partial sleep deprivation” refers to periods where you receive less than seven hours of sleep per night, either due to a shortened or interrupted sleep schedule. When this persists for a week, it is classified as “chronic partial sleep deprivation.”
The same report indicates that every 24 hours of total sleep deprivation results in an estimated “25-35% decline in cognitive task performance.” Rather than hitting a sudden limit, your brain gradually becomes less efficient the longer you stay awake.
The report also highlights that sleep deprivation can elevate the risk of traumatic brain injury, intensify feelings of emotional exhaustion and burnout, worsen anxiety and PTSD symptoms, and increase depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and attempts.
The military’s recommendation is clear: personnel should ideally be assigned duties that permit eight hours of sleep within every 24-hour period. When this isn’t feasible, they advise “banking” sleep beforehand and allowing time for recovery sleep afterward, similar to Gardner’s 14-hour rest following his experiment.
What should I do if I can’t sleep?
Clinical insomnia differs significantly from occasional sleep deprivation, such as students or soldiers staying up all night. Insomnia can stem from various causes, and it’s crucial to seek evaluation to understand the underlying issues affecting your sleep. The guidance you receive will depend on the specific diagnosis.
It’s important to note that feeling like you haven’t slept doesn’t always mean you were completely awake. Sleep experts often share anecdotes about patients who insisted they didn’t sleep at all, only for sleep studies to reveal they had actually dozed off briefly without realizing it.
Even Guinness acknowledges this phenomenon: one reason they discontinued tracking sleeplessness records, aside from health risks, is that individuals who appear awake might still experience “microsleeps.” The CDC, in discussing the impact of long shifts on nurses, notes that “a sleep-deprived person cannot prevent microsleeps and often remains unaware they are happening.”
Sleep experts advise focusing on relaxation rather than obsessing over the clock and lost sleep. Relaxation can be nearly as restorative as sleep and often leads to falling asleep naturally. If you continue to struggle with daytime drowsiness or have other sleep-related concerns, consult a healthcare professional.
