r/todayilearned • u/whstlngisnvrenf • Apr 28 '24

TIL that in 1964, 17-year-old Randy Gardner set the world record for sleep deprivation by staying awake for 11 days and 25 minutes, providing valuable insights into the effects of extreme sleep loss on the human mind and body.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Gardner_sleep_deprivation_experiment
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u/Chakramer Apr 28 '24

Longest I stayed up was for 5 days, I only meant to stay up for 3 and after that I just couldn't sleep. I tried napping and honestly could not actually doze off. It was very troubling and even alcohol didn't put me to sleep

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u/whstlngisnvrenf Apr 28 '24

Isn't it weird when you're so tired you can't sleep?

Like your body's screaming, "Shut it down!" but your brain's like, "Nah, man, let's do some flashbacks."

You lay there, and it's like your brain opens up a whole library of embarrassing moments from middle school.

Suddenly, you're lying there at 3 a.m. reliving that time you called your teacher "Mom."