For how many hours can you go without sleep
                     For How Many Hours 
Can You Go Without 
Sleep?
Sleep is essential for every person, young or old. Adults are recommended to rest for at least seven 
to eight hours every night for the proper functioning of their bodies. With that being said, it is 
necessary to point out that many people fail to get the necessary amount of rest for several 
reasons. They might be working overtime or not able to fall asleep because of stress. To know more 
about how long you can go on without sleep, read further! 
What is sleep deprivation?
Sleep deprivation is a condition when a person fails to rest for the required number of hours. They 
get less sleep than what their body needs. Its effects can vary from person to person. Since children 
are still growing and developing, they need more rest than adults. Therefore, the symptoms of sleep 
deprivation are more severe and long-lasting in them than in adults. These include-
• Increased appetite
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Concentration and alertness issues
• Fatigue and sleepiness 
• Reduced coordination
Can you go 24 hours without 
sleep? What are its side effects?
As per a study conducted by CDC, most people start experiencing the effects of sleep deprivation in 
just 24 hours. Those who go without rest for this long can be compared to people who have blood 
alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10 per cent. Here, it must be noted that people in the U.S. are not 
permitted to drive if they have 0.08 per cent of BAC. 
The side-effects of not resting for this long result from your brain’s attempt to conserve energy by 
entering the local sleep stage. During this, your body temporarily shuts down the neurons located in 
some regions of the mind. Such people may appear wide awake, but their ability to perform 
complex activities declines. They experience drowsiness, a high risk of accidents, impaired 
judgement, reduced coordination, short-term memory problems, and impaired judgement.
Can you go 48 hours without 
sleep? What are its side effects?
After 48 hours, you will experience worsening effects of sleep deprivation. Your cognitive 
performance will decrease, and you will start feeling tired. Then, your brain will slowly begin 
entering brief periods of unconsciousness, also referred to as microsleep. It occurs involuntarily and 
can last for several seconds, adding to the possibility of accidents or mishaps.
What happens if you stay awake 
for 72 hours?
If you last 72 hours without sleep, the symptoms and fatigue will intensify. The signs on a person’s 
mood and cognition will be profound and easily recognizable. A study found that people will go 
through impaired cognitive functioning, experience less positive emotions, and have increased 
heart rate after not resting for 72 hours. Some other signs that will be evident include paranoia, 
depressed mood, difficulty in multitasking, extreme fatigue, and concentration and memory issues.
Resting well helps recharge your body and brain. If you go without sleep three days in a row, your 
cognitive functioning will decline, and it will get hard for you to perform complex functions.
                                                     Thank You