What Would Happen If You Don't Sleep
In 1965, 17-year-old high school student Randy Gardner stayed awake for 264 hours, or 11 days, to see how he would manage without sleep. This groundbreaking experiment aimed to explore the effects of prolonged sleep deprivation on the human body and mind. By the second day, Gardner couldn't focus his eyes, and shortly after, he lost the ability to recognize objects by touch. By the third day, he was irritable and uncoordinated, demonstrating the immediate impacts of sleep loss. As the experiment concluded, he had difficulty concentrating, struggled with short-term memory, became paranoid, and started hallucinating. Remarkably, Gardner recovered without lasting psychological or physical harm. However, others aren't so fortunate; severe sleep deprivation can result in hormonal imbalances, illnesses, and, in extreme cases, death. Although we are just beginning to understand why sleep is necessary, we know it is crucial for overall health and well-being.
