How long can a person last without sleep?

[monkey00]

How long can a person be sleep deprived for?

So far for a week, i havent been sleeping well. At best I get a few hours every night. And the strangest thing is im not mentally or physically tired.

 

This happened in the past, but it was due to my high coffee intake which i later realized. I drink less coffee now but this week is strange.

 

Aside from prescription drugs (which ive tried but doesnt help), what methods can i use to sleep better or at least get me into my REM stage?

[georgejungle]

the most i've gone is 2-4 days straight without

sleep, when I was travelling and backpacking

abroad.

 

Do you exercise? might look into that, your body may

need some exertion to get yourself tired out. Try hiking

or running. I know a good hike always makes me feel tired

and sleepy later on.

[BabyPhoenix]

How long can a person be sleep deprived for?

 

Aside from prescription drugs (which ive tried but doesnt help), what methods can i use to sleep better or at least get me into my REM stage?

 

How long? I have no idea, but I think after about 72 hours of continuous wakefulness you will start to become delusional, etc.

 

As for methods, try meditation. Also excercise can help as the previous poster pointed out.

 

I am curious though, as to what prescription drugs you are taking that are not helping?

 

Let me ask you a few questions: Is your sleeplessness occuring as soon as you get in bed? (IE: do you toss and turn for a while, finally getting to sleep) or can you get to sleep easily, but then wake up during the night, unable to get back to sleep? Are you experiencing abnormal levels of anxiety?

[monkey00]

the most i've gone is 2-4 days straight without

sleep, when I was travelling and backpacking

abroad.

 

Do you exercise? might look into that, your body may

need some exertion to get yourself tired out. Try hiking

or running. I know a good hike always makes me feel tired

and sleepy later on.

 

Exercise...

I live in the city and walk to the train station and back from school / work/ home everyday. As good as walking is, it doesnt tire me because it's become such a habit...thats about all the exercise i do. Jogging wouldn't be such a bad idea, but I'm already a slim guy and have no reason to burn calories and lose weight.

 

How long? I have no idea, but I think after about 72 hours of continuous wakefulness you will start to become delusional, etc.

I've heard of such stories, although I haven't experienced it myself. Aside from that, I've experienced other unpleasurable things.

 

 

As for methods, try meditation. Also excercise can help as the previous poster pointed out.

 

I am curious though, as to what prescription drugs you are taking that are not helping?

Several months ago my physician prescribed some Lunesta. I tried taking it a few times when i really couldnt sleep, and it had no effect though. Since then I stopped, and it's probably expired.

 

Let me ask you a few questions: Is your sleeplessness occuring as soon as you get in bed? (IE: do you toss and turn for a while, finally getting to sleep) or can you get to sleep easily, but then wake up during the night, unable to get back to sleep? Are you experiencing abnormal levels of anxiety?

 

I think it's a mix of both, the sleeplessness occurs when i jump into bed, and sometimes I wake up early around 7 am regardless of how late i went to bed the night before.

[bab]

I'd definitely try the exercise thing. If you are worried about losing weight, just increase your calorie intake. Also, I would recommend a nice warm bath right before getting in the bed. It always makes me droswy.

[guin_girl]

I have trouble sleeping as well. I notice that I do sleep more when I workout. Walking doesn't do it for me either, but I have found that strength training with free weights does help me sleep deeper. Maybe still not through the night, but at least I feel more rested.

[burning 4 revenge]

after seven days without sleep you see the mind of god

[2sunny]

i don't know - except i have only been able to sleep 3-4 hours a night for the past 18 months, when i separated from stbxh.

 

some days i feel the effects alot and have to nap during the day for an hour or so otherwise i get just plain loony!

 

if you figure it out (how to sleep better) let me know - i too, hate the thought of taking meds....

[westernxer]

Check out Christian Bale in The Machinist... his character is deprived of sleep for an entire year, and he looks like hell.

[Blue Phoenix]

--"after seven days without sleep you see the mind of god"-- Am I the only one who dosent get that?? I personaly have gone weeks with getting like 2 or 3 hours a night. After a while your body seams to get use to the lack of sleep. I have also gone days with no sleep what so ever and I found at about the 3ed day you do start to be a bit out of it..

[sb129]

Can sympathise. I have periods of terrible insomnia, then other times I am a koala.

 

I find valerian root helps (its a herbal sleep aid). Think you can also get herbal teas which promote sleep. Chamomile is one, not sure about others.Reducing your caffeine intake was a good idea.

The body is a pretty complex and resilient machine, and if you are functioning, then I wouldn't worry too much cos stressing about not sleeping will only make it harder to sleep.

[elijahBailey]

The thing is that you're still getting sleep. Microsleep counts, short duration sleeping counts too. It has been proven scientifically that a person without REM sleep will start to hallucinate at some point of time. So if you're not experiencing anything weird, you're probably still ok.

[Art_Critic]

When I was younger and had more energy I used to routinely do 50-55 hours at work straight without changing clothes or naps.

 

My official record was 64 hours at work straight without sleep and I became giddy, emotional and had somewhat of a breakdown and cried about something..can't remember what it was.

 

My father would do 72 hours at work on his drawing board painting all the time but his average was always like 48 hours.

 

Today at age 43 I still do the occasional 40 hour shift at work but it takes me days to recover compared to when I was in my 20's I could recover in hours

 

Can you say workaholic ?

 

Most of my younger years working I was also working in darkrooms during that time.. my body had readjusted itself to stay awake during dark hours and I used to have to fall asleep with the lights full on.

[blind_otter]

When I was younger and had more energy I used to routinely do 50-55 hours at work straight without changing clothes or naps.

 

My official record was 64 hours at work straight without sleep and I became giddy, emotional and had somewhat of a breakdown and cried about something..can't remember what it was.

 

My father would do 72 hours at work on his drawing board painting all the time but his average was always like 48 hours.

 

Today at age 43 I still do the occasional 40 hour shift at work but it takes me days to recover compared to when I was in my 20's I could recover in hours

 

Can you say workaholic ?

 

Most of my younger years working I was also working in darkrooms during that time.. my body had readjusted itself to stay awake during dark hours and I used to have to fall asleep with the lights full on.

 

Dude - you crazy guy.

[quankanne]

I used to have to fall asleep with the lights full on.

 

what a peculiar thing! But, I imagine something in your mind say "you can relax now, not have to be alert" when the lights were on ... Same thing to the OP – you're obviously lacking an environment where your mind (and body) allow you to relax.

 

some questions: Do you have a set place (bed, sofa, etc) that is dedicated solely for sleeping? Are you in a place with minimal amount of noise – or if you're one of those folks who needs noise (like music or white noise), is it present? When you do sleep, are you snoring alot (a possible indicator of sleep apnea)? Do you have an exercise regime to help your body destress? how are your blood sugars – too high, and you're up all night needing to pee, too low you get hunger pangs that prevent sleep. Also, how is your mattress?

 

when DH is having problems sleeping, he'll ask if we can play the CD we have of a thunderstorm, for some reason it relaxes him (the minimal noise thing); my sleep gets disrupted when my blood sugar drops, and it usually takes awhile to realize the problem. However a glass of Ovaltine usually does the trick.

 

I also use a breathing machine to help with my sleep apnea, and when things get going really bad, I use over the counter sleep aids (Tylenol has one called Simply Sleep that doesn't have any yucky side effects like fuzzy brain).

[georgejungle]

Jogging wouldn't be such a bad idea, but I'm already a slim guy and have no reason to burn calories and lose weight.

 

Well, you don't have to lose weight, just get out and move

around. Doesn't matter if you're skinny, we all still need some

sort of exercise/moving around. Try hiking then, or run up and

down a flight of stairs for 15 to 20 minutes. You're not trying

to get fit here, just tire yourself out and exert some energy.

[Craig]

How long can a person be sleep deprived for?

 

http://www.pbs.org/livelyhood/nightshift/sleep_deprivation.html

[monkey00]

Thanks for the replies, i was able to sleep yesterday because i truly was exhausted after all those nights. And to top it off, my temper had the best of me...which is uncommon to see. my insomnia is unhealthy, it's been on and off since i was a teenager.

 

I'd definitely try the exercise thing. If you are worried about losing weight, just increase your calorie intake. Also, I would recommend a nice warm bath right before getting in the bed. It always makes me droswy.

 

not a bad idea, maybe ill try that if it happens again.

 

I have trouble sleeping as well. I notice that I do sleep more when I workout. Walking doesn't do it for me either, but I have found that strength training with free weights does help me sleep deeper. Maybe still not through the night, but at least I feel more rested.

 

It's funny you brought that up, when i used to work out at the gym i had more trouble sleeping (who doesnt love sore muslces?). i have free weights at home, guess i could use em again.

 

Check out Christian Bale in The Machinist... his character is deprived of sleep for an entire year, and he looks like hell.

yea..sleep deprivation can really screw with the aging process..you can look like you overdosed too much on drugs one day, and the next you can look refreshed and sharp.

 

Can sympathise. I have periods of terrible insomnia, then other times I am a koala.

Thats exactly how i am. half or most of the time i can get a decent night's rest. And other times i suffer extreme periods of insomnia for days.

 

The thing is that you're still getting sleep. Microsleep counts, short duration sleeping counts too. It has been proven scientifically that a person without REM sleep will start to hallucinate at some point of time. So if you're not experiencing anything weird, you're probably still ok.

thats true, but long periods of lengthy sleep will screw with the body/organs/functions in unknown ways..that i've come to experience.

 

I used to have to fall asleep with the lights full on.

You may think you're asleep but your mind is still active. Even though you're unconscious and your eyelids are closed, your brain is still actively processing the information that's passed through your eyelids - that being the dim lighting (same with tv). A night of sleep in total darkness vs. a night of sleep in light will have you feeling differently in the morning.

 

what a peculiar thing! But, I imagine something in your mind say "you can relax now, not have to be alert" when the lights were on ... Same thing to the OP – you're obviously lacking an environment where your mind (and body) allow you to relax.

It's true what you say. I know that when its too warm/hot (my room) or if there's a slight breeze blowing at my face, i cant sleep. it practically has to be close to the right conditions.

some questions: Do you have a set place (bed, sofa, etc) that is dedicated solely for sleeping? Are you in a place with minimal amount of noise – or if you're one of those folks who needs noise (like music or white noise), is it present? When you do sleep, are you snoring alot (a possible indicator of sleep apnea)? Do you have an exercise regime to help your body destress? how are your blood sugars – too high, and you're up all night needing to pee, too low you get hunger pangs that prevent sleep. Also, how is your mattress?

Excellent questions - I sleep on top of a bunk bed. You'd be surprised, i actually live about a block away from a bridge (with trains and cars)...i think after so many years I've gotten used to it.

 

I wish i did snore...people that snore when they sleep are genuine deep sleepers - which i envy. I think my blood sugar is normal, but sometimes i wait to long to sleep after i eat, which leaves me hungry in bed (which i admit probably messes with my sleep). Matress is new.

 

when DH is having problems sleeping, he'll ask if we can play the CD we have of a thunderstorm, for some reason it relaxes him (the minimal noise thing); my sleep gets disrupted when my blood sugar drops, and it usually takes awhile to realize the problem. However a glass of Ovaltine usually does the trick.

hey thanks for that tip, ill probably try ovaltine next time. But i had the conception that sugar would keep me up instead of help one sleep?