What happens when you stop sleeping

Are you constantly waking up late again? Sometimes we wish we could avoid the struggles of mornings. But what if you never went to bed at all? What if you found a way to stay awake forever? How long could you go without sleep, and would you still be productive? When would your friends start urging you to rest, and what would happen to your body? This is the topic we'll explore in "What If," discussing the consequences of not sleeping.

How many times have you needed just a few extra hours to complete a project, prepare for a date, or enjoy your free time? If sleep was eliminated from your routine, you'd have a full 24 hours each day to accomplish everything you've never had time for. Yawns and mild tiredness might seem like a small sacrifice compared to avoiding idle hours in bed. However, it turns out that sleep serves several crucial purposes. On average, a person spends one-third of their life sleeping, which may seem like a waste of time, but it is vital for the body.

During sleep, the body releases hormones and repairs tissues, replacing old cells with new ones. If you've exercised, sleep is essential for muscle growth and fat burning. So, what happens if you stop sleeping? Initially, not much would change. After just 24 hours, you might feel completely fine—better than fine, even. Sleep deprivation stimulates the release of dopamine, leading to feelings of happiness and increased energy. However, this euphoria would not last long.

After approximately 24 hours without sleep, your reactions would slow down, and your brain would begin to forget what you were doing. Outwardly, you would appear intoxicated or drunk. After two days without sleep, your body would start to shut down. Glucose metabolism would be disrupted, leaving you with no energy supply. Physical signs would include pale skin and red eyes. Additionally, your wrinkles would become more noticeable.

Around the three-day mark, hallucinations would begin. Without REM sleep, your brain would manifest your dreams and nightmares, blurring the line between reality and imagination. At approximately 72 hours, your body would start breaking down its own proteins, including muscle mass. Your energy sources would dwindle, relying on glucose reserves and fat tissue. After about two weeks, your immune system would weaken to the point where even the common flu could be fatal. Ultimately, around three weeks after your last sleep, you would likely die from a heart attack. Having some muscle or fat reserves could prolong survival slightly, but attempting this experiment is strongly discouraged.

After two days without sleep, your body would start to shut down. Glucose metabolism would be disrupted, leaving you with no energy supply. Physical signs would include pale skin and red eyes. Additionally, your wrinkles would become more noticeable.

Around the three-day mark, hallucinations would begin. Without REM sleep, your brain would manifest your dreams and nightmares, blurring the line between reality and imagination. At approximately 72 hours, your body would start breaking down its own proteins, including muscle mass. Your energy sources would dwindle, relying on glucose reserves and fat tissue. After about two weeks, your immune system would weaken to the point where even the common flu could be fatal. Ultimately, around three weeks after your last sleep, you would likely die from a heart attack. Having some muscle or fat reserves could prolong survival slightly, but attempting this experiment is strongly discouraged.

Therefore, it's best to grab a pillow and take a nap. If you constantly feel tired, ensure you're getting the recommended six to eight hours of sleep per night.