Fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability – these are just three well-known side effects of just one night of too little sleep.
But imagine going 11 days without a wink.
That’s exactly what a Cornish father of three did in 2007 in the hope of breaking the world record for the longest time without sleep.
Although Tony Wright’s 266-hour Insomniac Marathon didn’t end up winning the award, it did give him fascinating insights into how insomnia alters moods.
While Tony Wright’s (pictured) 266-hour marathon without sleep (pictured) ultimately went uncredited, it gave him fascinating insight into how sleepless states transform
Sleep deprivation occurs when a person does not get enough shut-eye to support their health and well-being, affecting mental and physical health
Adults are recommended to get around eight hours of sleep per night, with a longer duration recommended for children.
Sleep deprivation occurs when a person does not get enough sleep to support their health and well-being, affecting their mental and physical health.
But despite the risks, Mr. Wright accepted the challenge in May 2007 to stay awake for a week and a half.
He was followed throughout the challenge by a webcam and CCTV cameras at his local pub in Penzance.
Mr. Wright ate mostly raw fruits and vegetables and drank tea. And to pass the time, he played billiards.
Looking back on the experience in an interview shortly after the experiment, he claimed that staying awake “long enough” starves the “rational mind,” meaning the “batteries are basically dead.”
Mr. Wright acknowledged that you get tired of it and “don’t feel very good,” but the “rational mind’s” ability to stay in control “starts to break down, too.”
He said: “This is where you start looking at the other side of the brain, the other self.
“I talked to a lot of people about it. Most people have memories of parties or hard work.
“Of course they get tired, but inside they get a glimpse of something else.
“That kind of softness or a more relaxed state and often more emotional because there’s more access to that emotional side of the brain again.”
“Even if you feel pretty good, pretty changed condition for short windows or even a second wind.” You know, being really, really tired, not sleeping and then suddenly feeling fine for half an hour or an hour.
“What interests me is to understand it. And was it possible to take advantage of that and introduce combined techniques to activate the left side of the brain, which does not feel good at first, but is the reward on the other side worth it?
Mr. Wright was inspired to take on the challenge after taking part in a study at Manchester Metropolitan University in 1998 that left him awake for five days.
He said the study results showed that his physical capacity, strength, endurance and balance improved or remained the same.
He therefore decided to break the world record for insomnia to “show that the accepted theory is wrong and that fatigue does not make the brain less efficient,” Wright said at the time.
After his 11-day challenge, he admitted he felt “weird,” his eyes became “really sensitive” and there were “awkward moments” where he felt like his body “wanted to shut down.”
While Mr. Wright advocates sleep deprivation, the Guinness World Records are no longer on track due to the serious health risks associated with sleep deprivation.
The last record holder was Robert McDonald in 1986. He went 453 hours and 40 minutes without sleeping. This corresponds to 18 days 21 hours and 40 minutes.
In an article published last month, the organization said: “While we no longer verify the records due to the dangers associated with sleep deprivation, we can say that since McDonald, no one has been known to have broken them.”
The first person credited with the record “Insomnia” was Florida radio DJ Dave Hunter in 1959. He stayed awake for 225 hours.
There are numerous health problems associated with sleep deprivation, including obesity, diabetes and long-term cardiovascular disease.
A lack of shut-eye can lead to daytime sleepiness, reduced mental function, mood swings, reduced immune function and weight gain.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
