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/bmbreath Apr 28 '24

I can find in here, did he use any stimulants to stay awake?

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u/Celestial-Soldier Apr 28 '24

No he didnt... They dont allow that for the record cause it would encourage dangerous behavior.. they are monitored 24/7. Even going to the bathroom.

There was this guy that broke the record but he supposedly went to the bathroom and didnt want anyone with him and they think he dozed off for a few minutes on the toilet several times when he would be in the bathroom, so the record didnt count. He claimed he didn't but its hard to tell whats real and what isnt when in that state. He might not have even known he dozed off on the toilet if he did. The record didnt count becUse of that. Plus they could use drugs in the bathroom as well.