We need sleep to strengthen our memory banks, keep our moods on an even keel, flush out toxins and balance hormones in our bodies. Without it, we eventually become an agitated, delirious mess.
Take the case of an espresso-drinking 18-year-old who skipped sleep during a class trip to Italy and eventually had to be hospitalized:
“At some point, I tried to speak exclusively in rhyme. On another day, I renounced speech altogether. I remember telling people that circles were divine and instituting a policy of smacking my head when I made mistakes, finally breaking my own glasses with one blow.”
Typical symptoms of sleep deprivation are less remarkable and include fatigue, sludgy reaction times, memory problems and difficulty focusing. One becomes legally drunk after just 24 hours awake, according to the CDC.
Read More: How to Recover From a Sleepless Night
Most records for staying awake stand on shaky grounds, ...
