[__ Science __ ] What Would Happen If Somebody Never Slept?

[HeIsRisen2018]

Although I'm a night owl I really like my sleep, but I was just wondering what would happen if somebody decided that they never wanted to sleep again? Even though they would probably fall asleep eventually anyways whether they liked it or not.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

Well, for one it is so bad for our health. The brain needs sleep to heal and repair itself. The body can also fight illnesses more effectively with sleep. Without sleep the body's immune system is compromised so it can make you ill. Your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer is greatly increased. It becomes extremely difficult to think and recall memories or even function. It can make you hot tempered, too.

While I don't think someone can necessarily die from no sleep - they are likely to die from hurting themselves doing something while sleep deprived like driving, operating heavy machinery, drowning in a pool/bath/shower, etc.

So they would fall asleep eventually whether they liked it or not as you have mentioned. It is an essential bodily function and the body will get it one way or another.

 

[JohnDB]

I have, in times past, gone for months on 4 hours of sleep per night. I actually need a few more hours than that. (At least 6)

And at other times gone days without sleep.
Initially, once you get past the fatigue, colors begin to fade in your vision until things become monochrome. Your ability to reason begins to degrade as well until even the simplest things are beyond you.

Sleep is good for your health.

Going on too little for too long makes people stupid. (It did me)
It is said that too many people (in America) aren't getting enough sleep on a consistent basis (8 hours per night) and that they actually would be able to do more if they got more sleep.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Sleep usually helps me feel better emotionally too whenever I'm having a bad or stressful day.

 

[Michael74]

You need sleep, food, and air to live.

Most adults need 7 to 9 hours. Senior citizens 7 to 8 hours. Everyone is a bit different. Listen to your body. If you feel good, you are getting the right amount of sleep.

 

[jasonc]

Gotta burn those candles on both ends .

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Gotta burn those candles on both ends .

Huh?? 2

 

[jasonc]

Huh?? 2

Many work two jobs

 

[Michael74]

The candle on both ends means to work/party late into the night, then get up early the next day to start all over again. Very little sleep.

The phrase originated as lighting a candle on both sides at once, using the candle up rapidly. People similarly use themselves up rapidly by not sleeping very much.

 

[JohnDB]

Well Thanksgiving/Christmas is coming.
During this season I burn the candle:
Both ends
Down the middle
'round the back
Up both sides
On top and bottom...

You could say that I'll get sleep when I'm dead...

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Many work two jobs

So,.. I sort of get how that's related to this topic but what exactly is your point?

 

[Michael74]

...sleep...

A few people can do that. Some get by just fine on 3 hours of sleep per day. Most would be zombies after a few days of that. Listen to your body. It will tell you how much sleep it needs.

 

[jasonc]

Well Thanksgiving/Christmas is coming.
During this season I burn the candle:
Both ends
Down the middle
'round the back
Up both sides
On top and bottom...

You could say that I'll get sleep when I'm dead...

I know a few that do

So,.. I sort of get how that's related to this topic but what exactly is your point?

Well plenty of soldiers have i still can,sleep anywhere .

I worked with less sleep,I,prefer not to but well if I get the transfer,plenty of irregular sleep with that.power plant and other shift workers have that .

I'm used to it so it won't bother me just that I won't have no,days off. I'm not anti health advise but well ask your doctor about his med school,sleep depravation while performing surgeries on a cadaver ,taking tests.

If I took,the advise of this stuff all,the time .I might as well live in,a tent .

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Well Thanksgiving/Christmas is coming.
During this season I burn the candle:
Both ends
Down the middle
'round the back
Up both sides
On top and bottom...

You could say that I'll get sleep when I'm dead...

You just reminded me of this song. :biggrin

The candle on both ends means to work/party late into the night, then get up early the next day to start all over again. Very little sleep.

The phrase originated as lighting a candle on both sides at once, using the candle up rapidly. People similarly use themselves up rapidly by not sleeping very much.

Thanks for clearing that up but you responded to me before I could quote my other question to Jason. I apologize for the late reply, but I've been really busy so far today.

 

[Michael74]

Thanks for clearing that up but you responded to me before I could quote my other question to Jason.

Some people don't have a choice in how much sleep they get. If they have to work 2 jobs, that often doesn't leave enough time for sleep. Some people are scheduled to work the midnight turn 12 hours one week, and 12 hours on the daylight shift the next. Their systems can't adapt to this weekly time change, so they don't get high quality sleep. The military used to follow some really strange sleeping schedules (especially the Navy), but they are starting to improve. They figured out that soldiers and sailors can't think clearly when they are over tired, and mistakes were made. Some times they can't avoid it though. If the enemy is attacking in the middle of the night, they have to get up to defend themselves.

 

[daninthelionsden]

The only person I ever heard of not being able to sleep due to a medical condition, died within weeks.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

The only person I ever heard of not being able to sleep due to a medical condition, died within weeks.

Probably due to their medical condition, not the fact that they weren't able to sleep.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

You know, since this relates to the topic of sleep, something really strange that I do when I start getting tired is I grab something really soft like a blanket or a jacket and I pull it close to my face, and then with my mouth shut I start sucking on my tongue with my teeth.

 

[Boaz]

Although I'm a night owl I really like my sleep, but I was just wondering what would happen if somebody decided that they never wanted to sleep again? Even though they would probably fall asleep eventually anyways whether they liked it or not.

They would be of no use to themselves or anyone else.

 

[jasonc]

I have started dreaming utility routes again.usually electric.Gifford often and abandon houses.the haunted home i photographed was actually on a route .it must have triggered some recollection or desire to read that again.