Man who didn’t sleep for record 264 hours suffered from horrifying effects for years after

In 1964, two high school students from San Diego, California, embarked on a bold experiment that would test the limits of human endurance. Randy Gardner, 17, and his classmate Bruce McAllister set out to break the world record for the longest time a person could voluntarily stay awake. What started as a science fair project quickly turned into a groundbreaking, yet cautionary, tale of the human need for sleep.

Under the supervision of Stanford University sleep researcher Dr. William C. Dement and U.S. Navy medic Lieutenant Commander John J. Ross, the teens meticulously documented their journey. While both participated, it was Gardner who ultimately shattered the record by staying awake for an astounding 264 hours and 25 minutes—over 11 days.

An Ambitious Start

The idea seemed straightforward enough: push the boundaries of sleeplessness and study the effects on the body and mind. Gardner’s friend McAllister later admitted that their youthful enthusiasm may have clouded their judgment. Reflecting on the experience, he told the BBC, “We were young and naive. I stayed up with him to monitor the process, but after three nights, I found myself slumped against a wall, scribbling notes on it instead of in my journal.”

The Physical and Mental Toll

As the days without sleep wore on, the effects on Gardner’s health became impossible to ignore. By the second day, subtle changes in his speech and coordination were noticeable. The researchers asked him to repeat tongue twisters as a way to measure his mental acuity, but his responses began to falter.

By the third day, Gardner was showing clear signs of sleep deprivation. He experienced mood swings, trouble concentrating, and lapses in short-term memory. More concerning were the episodes of paranoia and hallucinations that began to set in. Despite his physical fitness—he was an active teen who loved sports—Gardner struggled to maintain coherence.

Dr. Dement noted that keeping Gardner active helped stave off the overwhelming urge to sleep. “We’d take him bowling or play basketball to keep him awake,” he recalled. “The moment he stopped moving, he’d start to nod off.”

Crossing the Finish Line

After 11 grueling days, Gardner finally achieved his goal. The exact duration of his sleepless marathon was recorded as 264.4 hours. Remarkably, when it was all over, Gardner managed to fall into a deep, natural sleep for about 14 hours. When he woke up, he claimed to feel surprisingly normal—without the grogginess one might expect.

But the long-term effects were another story. Over time, Gardner began to notice persistent issues with his sleep patterns. As an adult, he experienced bouts of insomnia that he attributed to the experiment. “It’s like I never fully recovered,” he told NPR in an interview. “Sleep is essential. I call it one of the big three: water, food, and sleep. You can’t function without them.”

What We Learned About Sleep

The experiment, while a feat of endurance, highlighted the importance of sleep for mental and physical health. Studies since Gardner’s record-breaking attempt have shown that prolonged sleep deprivation can have severe consequences, including:

Cognitive Decline: Memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities suffer after just 24 hours without sleep.

Emotional Instability: Sleep deprivation is linked to mood swings, irritability, and even depression.

Physical Health Risks: Chronic lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, disrupt metabolism, and increase the risk of heart disease.

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation

The dangers of sleep deprivation extend far beyond exhaustion and irritability. Research has uncovered a wide range of impacts on both the brain and body:

Weakened Immune Response: A lack of sleep reduces the body’s ability to fight off infections, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses.

Hormonal Imbalances: Sleep deprivation disrupts the production of hormones like cortisol (stress hormone) and leptin (hunger-regulating hormone), leading to increased stress and overeating.

Increased Risk of Accidents: Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, with sleep-deprived drivers exhibiting reaction times comparable to those of intoxicated individuals.

Chronic Health Conditions: Long-term sleep deprivation is linked to serious conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke.

The Science of Sleep

Sleep serves critical functions for the body and mind, including memory consolidation, cellular repair, and emotional regulation. During deep sleep, the brain clears out toxins that accumulate throughout the day, reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Additionally, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep plays a vital role in processing emotions and solidifying learning experiences.

Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults, with even higher requirements for teenagers and children. Missing this essential rest can lead to a cumulative sleep debt, which is difficult to recover from fully.

The Legacy of Gardner’s Experiment

Though Gardner’s achievement was remarkable, it also served as a cautionary tale. Today, researchers use his experience as an example of the dangers of pushing the body beyond its natural limits. The Guinness World Records organization no longer recognizes attempts to break the record for voluntary sleeplessness due to the health risks involved.

Gardner’s story is a reminder of just how vital sleep is to our well-being. While his youthful determination made for an incredible science fair project, it also left a lasting impact on his life. As he reflected years later, “You have to have sleep. It’s as important as food and water. You can’t go without it for long without paying the price.”