The record belongs to Robert McDonald, who in 1986 went almost 19 days without sleeping. Guinness World Records has stopped accepting new attempts due to the health risks of sleep deprivation.
During the 1950s and 1960s, sleep deprivation became a bizarre trend, with individuals competing to stay awake for longer and longer periods of time. Started by radio DJs seeking publicity, the competition quickly intensified, culminating in double professional Robert McDonald’s record-breaking feat in 1986: 18 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes without sleep.
However, the risks of such feats led Guinness World Records to stop recognizing sleep deprivation feats in 1997. Concerned about the potential harm, the organization declared McDonald’s record unchanged, but stressed that no longer monitors these types of attempts. Remarkably, Guinness reports that McDonald suffered no lasting health effects from his record – an outcome that experts consider fortunate.
Medical research highlights the dangers of severe sleep deprivation. Johns Hopkins Medicine warns that prolonged lack of sleep increases cancer risks colorectal disease, diabetes, heart disease and dementia. Sleep deprivation can also accelerate brain aging by three to five years.
Former record holder Randy Gardner, who went 11 days without sleep in 1964, reported alarming short-term effects, including hallucinations and memory deficits. Gardener compared his experience to the symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease. Although Gardner’s disabilities resolved after he returned to sleep, his experience highlights the immediate cognitive impact of extreme sleep deprivation.
Interestingly, researchers now believe that even the most dedicated record holders probably had “microphones” – brief unconscious lapses of sleep that last just a few seconds. This phenomenon suggests that no one actually managed to go completely without sleep during their attempts, despite their impressive feats, explains .
The exploits of McDonald and Gardner remain historical curiosities, serving more as cautionary tales than feats to imitate. The trend, once a testament to resilience, now highlights the critical importance of sleep for maintaining physical and mental health.
