How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?

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Whether you’re cramming for a test, working the night shift, or blowing off some steam with a night on the town, there are many reasons that you might not be getting as much sleep as your body needs. But as the hours you spend awake grows, so too do the negative and dangerous effects of sleep deprivation. From issues with memory and decision-making after just one night of sleep loss, to hallucinations and cognitive impairments after 72 hours, sleep deprivation can cause a range of problems.

What’s the record for going without sleep? 

The world record is currently held by Randy Gardner, who, as a student, went without sleep for 264 hours in the hope of winning a local science fair. After 3 days, Randy started to feel nauseous, and had issues with his memory. After 11 days, he started to report problems with his eyesight, speech and memory and began hallucinating.

Interestingly, after the 11 days were up, Randy went straight to sleep for a solid 14 hours. But while he awoke feeling groggy, he otherwise felt perfectly fine, and immediately returned to his regular sleep routine. 

Despite Randy not suffering any long-term health problems as a result of the stunt, going without sleep for a long time can be very dangerous. That’s why the Guinness Book of Records has since removed the category from their list of records.  

Find out more about the effects of sleep deprivation here.

But how long can you really go without sleep?

The truth is, it’s almost impossible to stay awake for days at a time. Your body and brain simply won’t let you. Even people who report severe insomnia may be getting more sleep than they know. Even if just for a minute or two. 

Then there’s the phenomenon of microsleep. Microsleeps are periods of sleep that last anywhere from a split second to a full 10 seconds. Many people who experience microsleep may not even realise they’ve fallen asleep. It can happen anywhere, any time, even when you’re going about your normal day. It can be hard to know when you’ve fallen into an episode. 

Some symptoms include:

  • Not responding to information

  • Head bobbing

  • Slow blinking

  • Sudden body jerks

  • Brief lapses in your memory

Microsleeps are uncontrollable and thus can be very dangerous. They most often occur when you’re fighting sleep, so that’s why it’s so important to always get a good night’s rest. Especially before driving or operating machinery. 

While the causes of microsleeps aren’t fully understood, it’s believed to occur when parts of the brain fall asleep when others remain awake. Interestingly, this type of sleep can not be categorised as either REM or non-REM sleep (the two main types of sleep). 

What about insomnia?

People with insomnia might think that they’re not sleeping at all throughout the night. But in fact, it’s likely they’re getting some sleep. Just not enough of it. This doesn’t make it any less problematic. While pulling an all nighter once in a while might not be great for your health, you can make up for it with a proper night’s rest in the days that follow. Insomnia, on the other hand, can lead to missing out on sleep on a regular basis. So even though you’re getting a few hours each night, you could still suffer from the effects of chronic sleep deprivation.  

There are certain rare medical disorders that can lead to extended periods without sleep entirely. Morvan’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterised by muscle twitching, pain, excessive sweating, weight loss, hallucinations and severe insomnia. In one study of a man suffering from Morvan’s Syndrome, it was found that he had virtually no sleep over a period of several months. Despite this, he did not feel tired. Nor did he experience many of the symptoms usually associated with sleep deprivation, such as memory and mood impairment, although he did experience hallucinations. 

Another rare disorder that may cause you to stay awake for an extended period of time is Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI), a very rare genetic disorder that can cause extended periods of insomnia, eventually leading to physical and mental deterioration and death.

Fortunately, both disorders are extremely rare. 

Final thoughts…

While it is possible to go without sleep for a few days, depriving yourself of sleep for an extended period of time can be dangerous. Sleep is critical for health, and regularly going without can lead to many short-term and long-term health issues. Make sleep a priority with more tips on getting a good night’s sleep.

If you’re experiencing persistent disruptions to your sleep, consult with a pharmacist or trusted medical professional to discuss possible solutions.

Any advice provided in this content is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, health or needs. The information in this post is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to diagnose or manage a medical condition. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any over-the-counter sleep product.


Peter Shakespeare