Getting enough sleep is vital for both physical and emotional well-being. Sleep deprivation can lead to many short- and long-term health effects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 years get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. However, approximately 35 percent of adults in the United States do not get enough sleep.
Adults should stay awake no longer than 17 hours to meet the CDC’s sleep recommendation. People tend to experience the adverse effects of sleep deprivation within 24 hours.
In this article, we explore how long a person can go without sleep and look at the effects of sleep deprivation over 72 hours.
We also discuss the short- and long-term health effects of sleep deprivation, how much sleep a person needs, and how to improve sleep hygiene.
How long can a person go without sleep?
Sleep requirements vary between people and also depend on a person’s age. For example, infants require about twice as much sleep as adults.
However, the amount of time that a person can survive without sleep remains unclear. According to a 2010 review, the current world record for a person going without sleep is 266 hours, which equates to just over 11 days.
The most famous sleep deprivation experiment took place in 1964 when a Californian high school student named Randy Gardner managed to stay awake for 264 hours.
Toward the end of the 11 days, Gardner grew paranoid and even started hallucinating. However, he reportedly recovered without any long-term physical or psychological effects.
What is sleep deprivation?
Sleep deprivation occurs when a person gets less sleep than their body needs. The effects of sleep deprivation can vary from person to person.
Children and teenagers need more sleep than adults as their brains and bodies are still developing and growing. As such, the effects of sleep deprivation in children can sometimes be more severe or longer-lasting.
General symptoms of sleep deprivation in adults can include:
- fatigue and sleepiness during the day
- concentration, alertness, and memory difficulties
- reduced coordination
- irritability
- increased appetite
- mood changes
Regular or chronic sleep deprivation can also increase a person’s risk of several health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.