The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep Deprivation: The No-Sleep Challenge

Most of us will be all too familiar with that dopey, groggy feeling of being tired after a restless night. Some social media users have taken tiredness to the extreme, however, by taking part in what they call a “no-sleep challenge.”

A YouTube Live Stream Gone Wrong

One 19-year-old Youtuber, Norme, live streamed his attempt to break a world record for consecutive days without sleep. At the 250-hour mark, viewers voiced concerns about Norme’s health and wellbeing but he eventually finished with a “no sleep” time of 264 hours and 24 minutes.

The Consequences of Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Despite Norme’s claims to have beaten the world record, his ordeal was not enough to beat the last Guinness World Record holder Robert Mcdonald, who racked up 453 hours – almost 19 days! – in 1986. Guinness World Records stopped monitoring the record for the longest time without sleep for safety reasons – and they were quite right. Going without sleep for extended periods of time can prove extremely dangerous.

The Importance of Sleep

Adults should aim for more than seven hours’ sleep per night on a regular basis. Chronic inability to get sufficient sleep is associated with increased risk of multiple conditions such as depression, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, hypertension, and stroke.

Sleep and the Body

Sleep is an important part of our daily routine. It enables many of our bodily systems to rest and focus on repair and recovery. During the first three stages of sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system – which regulates rest and digestion – takes control. This reduces heart rate and blood pressure.

The REM Stage of Sleep

In the final stage, the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, heart activity increases and eyes move – this stage is key to cognitive functions such as creativity, learning, and memory. Consumption of alcohol or caffeine prior to bed can disturb these sleep cycles.

Sleep Deprivation: The Effects on the Body

Acute Sleep Deprivation

Acute sleep deprivation can happen over a day or two. While it may seem like a short period of time, 24 hours of sleep deprivation can cause a greater degree of functional impairment than being just over the drink-drive limit. Symptoms of acute sleep deprivation can include puffy eyes or dark under-eyes, irritability, cognitive decline, brain fog, and food cravings.

The Second Day of Sleep Deprivation

During the second day without sleep, symptoms increase in intensity and behavioural changes occur, as well as a further decline in cognitive functions. The body’s need for sleep becomes stronger causing involuntary naps – microsleeps lasting around 30 seconds.

The Third Day of Sleep Deprivation

The body’s need for food increases as well as physiological responses such as systemic inflammation and impaired immune response, making us more susceptible to illness. The third 24-hour period can trigger a desperate urge to sleep, increasing likelihood of longer microsleeps, depersonalisation – feelings of detachment from reality – and hallucinations.

Sleep Deprivation Psychosis

Once into day four of sleeplessness, all symptoms become much worse progressing to sleep deprivation psychosis where you’re unable to interpret reality and possess a painful desire to sleep.

Recovery from Sleep Deprivation

Recovery from sleep deprivation varies from person to person, with a solid overnight sleep being enough for some to recover. For others, it can take days or weeks. Studies have shown that recovery sleep often doesn’t reverse the metabolic changes that can cause weight gain and a decrease in insulin sensitivity, even from relatively short periods of sleep deprivation.

Shift Workers and Sleep Deprivation

Shift workers can be continually sleep deprived. Night shift workers typically average one-to-four hours’ less sleep per day than people whose work time falls within daylight hours – and this can increase their risk of early death.

The Risks of Chronic Sleep Deprivation

In fact, many studies have shown that too little sleep is associated with an increased risk of death. But too much sleep has also been associated with an increased risk of death. It’s best for health, then, to avoid the social media challenges and instead opt for good sleep hygiene to get your seven-to-nine hours of quality shut-eye.

Conclusion

Sleep is a vital part of our daily routine, and neglecting it can have serious consequences. By understanding the dangers of sleep deprivation, we can take steps to prioritize our sleep and overall health.

FAQs

Q: How many hours of sleep should I aim for each night?
A: Adults should aim for more than seven hours’ sleep per night on a regular basis.

Q: What are the risks of chronic sleep deprivation?
A: Chronic inability to get sufficient sleep is associated with increased risk of multiple conditions such as depression, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, hypertension, and stroke.

Q: Can recovery sleep reverse the effects of sleep deprivation?
A: Studies have shown that recovery sleep often doesn’t reverse the metabolic changes that can cause weight gain and a decrease in insulin sensitivity, even from relatively short periods of sleep deprivation.

Q: Are shift workers at risk of sleep deprivation?
A: Yes, shift workers can be continually sleep deprived, which can increase their risk of early death.

Q: Can sleep deprivation cause hallucinations and depersonalisation?
A: Yes, chronic sleep deprivation can trigger symptoms such as hallucinations and depersonalisation, which can be dangerous and debilitating.