Norme, a 19-year-old YouTuber, live-streamed his quest to conquer the world record of the 'No-Sleep Challenge'. He went on without sleep in a row for most days. The viewers began to worry about Norme's health and well-being at the 250-hour point, but he finally finished with a "no sleep" period of 264 hours and 24 minutes. This wrongly encouraged many social media users to exert themselves and engage in the ''no-sleep challenge'. Norme was banned from Kick and YouTube for attempting this dangerous challenge.
Despite Norme's claims to have broken the no-sleep record, his ordeal was not sufficient to beat the last Guinness World Record holder Robert Mcdonald, who clocked up 453 hours without sleep in 1986 – which is almost 19 days!
Every age group has different amount of sleep requirements for their daily well-being. Younger age groups need more sleep for their physical and mental growth. Sleep is an important part of our daily routine. It enables most of our vital body systems to rest and focus on healing.
There are 4 stages in every sleep cycle. The first three stages are the Non Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) stages, followed by the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage. The average length of the first NREM-REM sleep cycle is 70 to 100 minutes, and later cycles are longer, lasting about 90 to 120 minutes. Most people go through four or five cycles per night. During the NREM stages of sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system regulates rest and digestion. This reduces heart rate and blood pressure. In the final REM stage, heart activity increases and eyes move – which is key to cognitive functions such as creativity, learning and memory.
Experts recommend usually 7 or more hours of sleep each night for adults. Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour cycle. Light and dark have the biggest influence on circadian rhythms, but food intake, stress, physical activity, social environment, and temperature also affect them. Chronic sleep deprivation majorly disrupts this circadian rhythm and is associated with an increased risk of multiple health conditions such as depression, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, hypertension and stroke.
There are two possibilities- acute or chronic sleep deprivation. Acute deprivation is when a day or two goes without sleep. It appears like a harmless short time but sleeping less than 24 hours might impair functioning more severely than slightly exceeding the legal limit when driving. Acute sleep deprivation can cause symptoms such as dark circles under the eyes, swollen eyes, irritability, mental fog, and food cravings.
On day two without sleep, symptoms increase in intensity and behavioral changes occur, as well as a further decline in cognitive functions. The body’s need for sleep becomes stronger causing involuntary naps lasting around 30 seconds. The body’s need for food increases as well as physiological responses such as systemic inflammation and impaired immune response, making us more susceptible to illness.
The third 24-hour sleepless period can trigger a desperate urge to sleep, increasing the likelihood of longer microsleeps, depersonalization and hallucinations. Once into day four of sleeplessness, all symptoms become much worse progressing to psychosis where you’re unable to interpret reality and possess a painful desire to sleep.
Recovery from sleep deprivation could be a solid overnight sleep being enough for some but for others, it can take days or weeks too. However, studies have shown that recovery sleep often doesn’t reverse the metabolic changes that can cause weight gain and a decrease in insulin sensitivity, even from relatively short periods of sleep deprivation. Night shift workers typically average one-to-four hours’ less sleep per day than people whose work time falls within daylight hours – and this can increase their risk of early death.
Apart from the short-term symptoms and effects on our bodily systems, we must have a long-fetched perspective on our health. Every adult should aim for a quality sleep of seven to nine hours each night. Our health is the most precious possession we own. Your body will definitely be grateful to you in the long term, for every good night's sleep than for following such dangerous social media challenges.
Reference:
1) Taylor, A. (n.d.). No-sleep challenge: the dangers of sleep deprivation. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/no-sleep-challenge-the-dangers-of-sleep-deprivation-236608
2) TOI World Desk. (2024, August 12). “Stunt gone too far”: Youtuber Norme goes 12 days straight without sleep on livestream. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/stunt-gone-too-far-youtuber-goes-12-days-straight-without-sleep-on-livestream/articleshow/112456167.cms
3) Sleep tips: 6 steps to better sleep. (2022, May 7). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379#:~:text=Stick%20to%20a%20sleep%20schedule,time%20every%20day%2C%20including%20weekends.
(Rehash/Dr. Shreya Dave/MSM)
