The Devastating Effects of Sleep Deprivation: What Happens When You Don't Sleep for 5 Days

Why do humans need to Sleep? 

*English Version

Sleep is an essential part of human life and is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours per night. 

However, many individuals struggle to get enough sleep due to various factors, resulting in sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual consistently fails to get enough sleep, which can severely affect their physical and mental health. 

This article will explore the effects of not sleeping for five days on an individual's body and mind, with valid references from journals and verified websites.

Effects on the Body:

1. Increased Risk of Obesity: Studies have shown that sleep deprivation is associated with an increased risk of obesity. One study found that individuals who slept less than five hours per night had a higher BMI than those who slept for seven to eight hours per night. Sleep deprivation disrupts the hormones that regulate hunger, leading to increased appetite and a preference for high-calorie foods (1).
2. Impaired Immune System: Lack of sleep weakens the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight infections. One study found that individuals who slept for less than seven hours per night were three times more likely to develop a cold than those who slept for eight hours or more (2).
3. Increased Risk of Heart Disease: Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. One study found that individuals who slept less than six hours per night had a 48% higher risk of developing or dying from heart disease than those who slept for six to eight hours per night (3).
4. Increased Risk of Diabetes: Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of developing diabetes. One study found that individuals who slept for less than six hours per night had a 4.5 times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who slept for seven to eight hours per night (4).

Effects on the Mind:

1. Impaired Cognitive Function: Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function, including attention, memory, and decision-making. One study found that individuals who were sleep-deprived for 24 hours had the same level of cognitive impairment as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%, which is above the legal driving limit in many countries (5).
2. Increased Risk of Depression: Lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of depression. One study found that individuals who slept for less than six hours per night had a 66% higher risk of developing depression than those who slept for seven to eight hours per night (6).
3. Increased Risk of Anxiety: Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of anxiety. One study found that individuals who slept for less than six hours per night had a 30% higher risk of developing anxiety than those who slept for seven to eight hours per night (7).
4. Increased Risk of Psychosis: Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of psychosis. One study found that individuals who slept for less than five hours per night had a 4.5 times higher risk of developing psychosis than those who slept for seven to eight hours per night (8).

Writer's Research Results:

The writer has been conducting private research on the effects of sleep deprivation, going without sleep for five consecutive days. As the days passed, the writer began to experience a range of physical and mental effects.

On the first two days, the writer still felt somewhat satiated after meals. However, by the third day, the writer's appetite had increased dramatically, and the feeling of hunger persisted throughout the next two days. The need for food became almost insatiable.

The writer's mental capacity also began to deteriorate throughout the experiment. Concentration and memory became increasingly difficult, and the simplest tasks required much more effort than usual. By the fifth day, the writer's brain felt almost sluggish, as if it struggled to keep up with even the most basic cognitive tasks.