Sleep deprivation can cause problems like fatigue, clumsiness, daytime sleepiness, and weight loss or weight gain.  It affects the function of the brain. This is the reason why we need to get adequate amount of sleep.  It gives us comfort and it is vital to make our body function well. That’s the main reason why those who suffer from insomnia have to take sleeping pills just to catch some sleep.

However, a young man tried to prove that one can go on without sleep for a few days.  Randy Gardner, the record holder for the longest time a human being has purposely gone without sleep without the use of any stimulants.  According to Wikipedia, Gardner did it in 1964 when he was only a 17-year-old high school student in San Diego, California when he stayed awake for 264 hours, breaking the previous record of 260 hours held by Tom rounds of Honolulu, Hawaii.

According to another source, he was not listed in The Guinness World of Book Records because he admitted that he missed the publication date.  However, his sleep deprivation was monitored by Dr. William Dement from Stanford University.

Effects on His Health

It was claimed that there was little effect of what Gardner did other than mood changes. However, Lt. Cmdr. John J. Ross monitored his health and he reported that he had serious behavioral and cognitive changes which included paranoia, short term memory, moodiness, hallucinations, and problems with concentration.  On his last day, he presided over a press conference where he spoke without stumbling.  He looked to be in excellent health.

There were claims that they have broken Gardner’s record but his record remains stand out because is comprehensively documented.

Can you beat that record? Well, don’t try to.  Sleeping is necessary for good health. You should bear that in mind.

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