"The Science of Sleep Deprivation: How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?"
While extreme sleep deprivation records exist, such as Randy Gardner's 264-hour stint without sleep, the effects are dangerous and not encouraged. The military defines total sleep deprivation as 24 hours awake, with each 24 hours resulting in a 25-35% degradation of cognitive task performance. Chronic partial sleep deprivation can lead to increased mortality, poor performance, and decreased well-being. Insomnia should be evaluated by a professional, and relaxation is recommended to combat sleeplessness.