Sleep Deprivation facts
While investigating facts about Sleep Deprivation Stages and Sleep Deprivation Test, I found out little known, but curios details like:
The CDC has urged that schools open later because two-thirds of teenagers suffer chronic sleep deprivation.
how sleep deprivation affects the brain?
If you're coming to work consistently sleep-deprived you're basically functioning drunk.
What sleep deprivation does to you?
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering what sleep deprivation does. Here are 50 of the best facts about Sleep Deprivation Treatment and Sleep Deprivation Meaning I managed to collect.
what sleep deprivation does to your body?
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Sleep deprivation has opposite effects in healthy people and those with depression. If you’re healthy and you don’t sleep, you’ll feel in a bad mood. But if you’re depressed, it can prompt an immediate improvement in mood, and in cognitive abilities. This is the basis of Wake Therapy
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Astronauts must have good airflow around them when they sleep, otherwise, they could wake up oxygen-deprived and gasping for air because a bubble of their own exhaled carbon dioxide had formed around their heads.
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Marijuana deprives you of REM sleep. If you stop smoking, you will have a rebound period of REM sleep producing intense dream.
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Sleep deprivation beyond 24 hours causes visual, auditory and sensory hallucinations, progressing to psychosis
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DARPA has created a drug that eliminates sleepiness. When tested on monkeys with sleep deprivation, the drug made them cognitively alert as well-rested monkeys. With no apparent side affects.
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Sleep deprivation can temporarily act as an antidepressant.
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The smell of coffee reduces the stress caused by sleep deprivation and damage caused by stress
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There are studies which suggest a correlation between sleep deprivation and an increased desire to eat poorly and decreased self control over eating impulses.
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During the 51 day siege by the FBI on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, the FBI used sleep deprivation to try to force the suspects out. This included around the clock broadcasts of jet planes, screams from rabbits being slaughtered and "These boots were made for walking"
Sleep Deprivation data charts
For your convenience take a look at Sleep Deprivation figures with stats and charts presented as graphic.
Why sleep deprivation kills?
You can easily fact check why sleep deprivation happens by examining the linked well-known sources.
In 1977, Maureen Weston of the U.K. voluntarily stayed up for a whopping 449 hours(18 days), and made it into the 1978 Guinness Book of World Records. But because staying awake for such long stretches poses so many health risks, Guinness chose to no longer acknowledge sleep deprivation records.
Dolphins can overcome sleep deprivation and remain constantly vigilant for days at a time by resting one half of their brain while the other half remains conscious. - source
One night of sleep deprivation temporarily relieves the symptoms of depression with a 60% success rate. Though the antidepressant effect ends when the person finally nods off. - source
Fatal Familial Insomnia, a very rare and incurable disease which destroys the patient's ability to sleep. At the time of death some victims have been sleep-deprived for up to six months.
"Alice in Wonderland Syndrome," a disorienting condition that affects perception, leaving you feeling smaller/bigger than your surroundings. Symptoms commonly affect children, with many people outgrowing them in their teens; however, it can still occur in adulthood due to sleep deprivation. - source
When does sleep deprivation start?
Sleep deprivation has the same effects on your brain as alcohol.
How sleep deprivation affects us?
About a 2004 reality show that challenged its contestants to stay awake. The winner withstood 178 hours of sleep deprivation.
The Barkley Marathons, a grueling run in the mountains of Tennessee. In 2005, runner Andrew Thompson, severely sleep-deprived, started hallucinating he was a garbage man wandering a suburban neighborhood for hours, meeting imaginary people and trying to figure out which homes to collect.
Hell Itch, a condition which affects ~5-10% of sunburn sufferers. An acute sunburn itch which can be completely debilitating, it can be as severe as chronic pain and can lead to suicide, sleep deprivation, depression, and aggressiveness.
Peter Tripp, a radio DJ, stayed awake on air for 200 hours. The resulting sleep deprivation drove him crazy.
People who suffer from sleep deprivation or insomnia tend to gain weight more easily.