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About the Museum
The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoax Photo Database, the Hoax Forum, and the Hoaxipedia.
The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoax Photo Database, the Hoax Forum, and the Hoaxipedia.
RUDE ROVERThe Christmas dog with no class! He sings and toots Jingle Bells.
INFLATABLE TREEWho needs the hassle of a real Christmas tree?
FARTING SANTAGo ahead and pull his finger!
What is the world record for staying awake?
Status: News
The London Times reports that Tony Wright of Cornwall recently stayed awake for 266 hours. He was attempting to break the world record of 264 hours awake set by Randy Gardner of San Diego in 1964. Wright was also attempting to demonstrate that, thanks to his "caveman diet" of raw food, he was able to "train his mind in such a way as to stay awake for 11 days and remain coherent and aware of what was going on around him."The Times then goes on to report the bad news. Gardner didn't actually hold the world record for staying awake. Gardner's record had long since been surpassed by others. So Wright didn't set a new record.
The Times reports that: "The Guinness previous record was for 11½ days, or 276 hours, and was set by Toimi Soini in Hamina, Finland, between February 5 to 15, 1964." However, Soini's record was removed from the Guinness Book of Records in 1989. "It was deleted on the grounds that it could encourage records harmful to health and was unverifiable because of the claims of insomnia sufferers."
Actually, the question of who holds the world record for staying awake is a little more complicated than that, which I know because Gardner's sleep deprivation experiment is one of the experiments I discuss in Elephants On Acid: and Other Bizarre Experiments
. I even interviewed Randy Gardner, who still lives in San Diego.Gardner set his record on January 8, 1964. Two weeks later newspapers reported that Jim Thomas, a student at Fresno State College, beat Gardner's record by staying awake for 266.5 hours. And a month later Soini set the new record. 1964 was a banner year for sleep-deprivation trials.
However, subsequent issues of the Guinness Book of Records report far longer periods of sleep deprivation. The 1978 edition, for instance, states that:
The longest recorded period for which a person has voluntarily gone without sleep is 449 hr (14 days 13 hours) by Mrs. Maureen Weston of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire in a rocking chair marathon on 14 Apr.-2 May 1977. Though she tended to hallucinate toward the end of this surely ill-advised test, she surprisingly suffered no lasting ill effects.
Ironically, I don't believe Randy Gardner's record ever did make it into Guinness. Gardner reports that "I did not get listed in Guiness as I missed the publication date." However, Gardner's record is the most frequently cited because it was (and probably still is) the most scientifically rigorous long-term human sleep-deprivation study, since Gardner was monitored by Dr. William Dement of Stanford University.The overall problem with determining the record for the longest a person has stayed awake is that people take "microsleeps" without being aware of it. To really determine if a person has been constantly awake you'd need to record their brainwaves throughout the experiment. As far as I know, such a study has never been done.
Posted By: Alex | Date: Sat May 26, 2007 | Permalink |
Total Comments: 56
Category: Body Manipulation, Science
Category: Body Manipulation, Science
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 2 of 3 pages < 1 2 3 >
Again...
WHY are you going to go "for at least three weeks straight" no matter what? And again, why not spend all that effort on something worthwhile or fun?
And again, jeez.
Posted by Kathleen in Indiana, USA on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 10:15 AMWHY are you going to go "for at least three weeks straight" no matter what? And again, why not spend all that effort on something worthwhile or fun?
And again, jeez.
I'm just setting a personnal goal thats all, and i live in a town with like 2,500 people in it, there's nothing to do here, the closest mall is a 4 hour drive, or an 8 and a half hour bike ride and thats Timmins Ontario and its now been 7 days and 6 hours since i slept. I only got 7 days and 7 hours to go
Posted by motokano in Chapleau Ontairo on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 11:08 AMand the beginning to the e-mail is k_lub69
Posted by motokano in Chapleau Ontairo on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 11:10 AMmy record so far is 160 hours.
Posted by alex in New Mexico on Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 09:03 AMAww only at 20 or so hours atm, planning for 36 hours straight (gonna be a first 
)
Posted by pie in Brisbane Qld, Australia on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM)lol you'll get there eventually
Posted by alex in new mexico on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 08:42 PMi stayed up 4 243 hours. only 29 hr.s left wish me luck. sterling bullock n.c. henderson
Posted by sterling bullock in henderson nc 40 weybossett on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 03:21 PMstayed up 4 260. wish me luck.
Posted by sterling bullock in henderson nc 40 weybossett on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 03:24 PMMy personal record was 140 hours that I did a few years ago.
Not the greatest time of my life, that's for sure.
Posted by Eric in Indiana on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 10:53 PMNot the greatest time of my life, that's for sure.
I seriously think the best way to stay awake for long periods of time, are video games.. something to keep you focused on anything but sleep. Find a good MMORPG or even decide to play through every Final Fantasy game in order without sleep, then switch to a different franchise like Resident Evil or GTA... But I still don't think I could do 11 days... Iron men and women doing this stuff.... Kudos...
Posted by Elmin in USA on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:06 PMmotokano: "I'm just setting a personnal goal thats all, and i live in a town with like 2,500 people in it, there's nothing to do here, the closest mall is a 4 hour drive, or an 8 and a half hour bike ride and thats Timmins Ontario and its now been 7 days and 6 hours since i slept. I only got 7 days and 7 hours to go."
And this is the best "personal goal" you can think of to pass the time? You couldn't, I don't know, read the entire works of Shakespeare (or anybody else, for that matter) or watch every episode of The Simpsons? Or find a nice hobby or support a charity or take up watercolor painting or bonsai gardening? This is the best way you can think of to spend more than 14 days of your life?
Every now and then, I remember why I am so glad I'm a grownup.
Posted by Kathleen in Indiana, USA on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 01:25 PMAnd this is the best "personal goal" you can think of to pass the time? You couldn't, I don't know, read the entire works of Shakespeare (or anybody else, for that matter) or watch every episode of The Simpsons? Or find a nice hobby or support a charity or take up watercolor painting or bonsai gardening? This is the best way you can think of to spend more than 14 days of your life?
Every now and then, I remember why I am so glad I'm a grownup.
Yuppers, thats about right.
Posted by Motokano in Chapleau, Ontario, Canada, Earth on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 03:01 PMthe reason everyone likes to not sleep is because basically, you get high. After awhile you start to hallucinate (very mild hallucinations but hallucinations) and you also can get psychosis. psychosis is a loss from reality which can also be caused from alchohol, cocaine, LSD, speed, crystal meth, marijuana, etc. Most people will feel happy, relaxed, and feel that everything is fine. This is where most people get addicted and want to get sleep deprived (S.D.) even more. S.D. is so popular because you can get high legally.
personally i like to stay up until the sun rises and sometimes go for 24 hours which isn't much. S.D. causes a spark in my imagination and creativity. I ama musician and i have written many songs as well as stories after not sleeping. Personally, whenever i stay up for a long time, i feel like i am numb and i feel little to no pain. I find it hard to concentrate.
The last thing is i don't feel hungry. I stayed up until 4:30 this morning (3-23-08) after waking up at 6 a.m. the previous day(3-22-08). I went to sleep and woke up about an hour ago (11 a.m. 3-23-08). I ate Jack in tha Box at 3 p.m. on 3-22-08 and i haven'y eaten anything since. Basically, i haven't eaten in 21 hours. I just don't feel hungry. I think it's from not sleeping. Others feel more hungry and start gaining weight. But i feel less hungry and i think i am losing weight.
I usually do it a lot on vacations (im on spring break right now) and weekends but not during the week cause i have school. I haven't seen very severe effects when im normal and not sleep deprived except i have dark circles under my eyes and i fall asleep in one ore two classes (my boring teachers). Other than that i feel fine.
Staying for 11 days is just insane. If you like to get high from sleep deprivation, 18-24 hours is pretty healthy. but more than 2 days could probably cause brain damage and heart disease. remember, moderation. I usually play xbox live when i'm staying up. If i watch tv or read a book i will for sure fall asleep. Well bye for now.
BTW
I HIGHLY ADVISE AGAINST ATTEMPTING TO STAY UP FOR MORE THAN 2 DAYS. For one, it is not necessary. For two, it is not healthy. For three, sleep is good.
Posted by Henry in Los Angeles on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:14 PMpersonally i like to stay up until the sun rises and sometimes go for 24 hours which isn't much. S.D. causes a spark in my imagination and creativity. I ama musician and i have written many songs as well as stories after not sleeping. Personally, whenever i stay up for a long time, i feel like i am numb and i feel little to no pain. I find it hard to concentrate.
The last thing is i don't feel hungry. I stayed up until 4:30 this morning (3-23-08) after waking up at 6 a.m. the previous day(3-22-08). I went to sleep and woke up about an hour ago (11 a.m. 3-23-08). I ate Jack in tha Box at 3 p.m. on 3-22-08 and i haven'y eaten anything since. Basically, i haven't eaten in 21 hours. I just don't feel hungry. I think it's from not sleeping. Others feel more hungry and start gaining weight. But i feel less hungry and i think i am losing weight.
I usually do it a lot on vacations (im on spring break right now) and weekends but not during the week cause i have school. I haven't seen very severe effects when im normal and not sleep deprived except i have dark circles under my eyes and i fall asleep in one ore two classes (my boring teachers). Other than that i feel fine.
Staying for 11 days is just insane. If you like to get high from sleep deprivation, 18-24 hours is pretty healthy. but more than 2 days could probably cause brain damage and heart disease. remember, moderation. I usually play xbox live when i'm staying up. If i watch tv or read a book i will for sure fall asleep. Well bye for now.
BTW
I HIGHLY ADVISE AGAINST ATTEMPTING TO STAY UP FOR MORE THAN 2 DAYS. For one, it is not necessary. For two, it is not healthy. For three, sleep is good.
Oh and BTW
NEVER USE ENERGY DRINKS TO STAY UP.
don't even start using them. I have never drank an energy drink and never will. Fight it man
Posted by Henry in Los Angeles on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:29 PMNEVER USE ENERGY DRINKS TO STAY UP.
don't even start using them. I have never drank an energy drink and never will. Fight it man
My personal record was 11 days, then I died. r.i.p me.
Posted by curtis in detroit on Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 11:49 AMok so i live in South Dakota and i have nothing to fuckin do so im gunna try this for as long as i can...... im on my 29 hour right now and i feel like shit..... i wanna skip this and get to the 36 hour really trippy part...
hope i see some pretty crazy shit!!
wish me luck
Posted by Colton Young in Rapid City, SD on Mon May 19, 2008 at 02:40 AMhope i see some pretty crazy shit!!
wish me luck
good look Dakota man
It helps if you stimulate your mind. The best way to do that is video games. Avoid reading, watching TV, or doing something where you are just sitting there. Also try notto exercise as well because then you will be tired. Just do something like video games or playing music or very mild exercise. Try writing a story, or a poem or a song.
Posted by Henry in Los Angeles on Mon May 19, 2008 at 06:47 PMIt helps if you stimulate your mind. The best way to do that is video games. Avoid reading, watching TV, or doing something where you are just sitting there. Also try notto exercise as well because then you will be tired. Just do something like video games or playing music or very mild exercise. Try writing a story, or a poem or a song.
the most i've stayed up is right now at like 25 and a half hours. I woke up at ninethirty yesterday and haven't slept since.
p.s. i am only a kid
Posted by Malakapachingo W. in nowhere town on Fri May 30, 2008 at 07:17 AMp.s. i am only a kid
I am on my record right now of over 26 hours! I havent slept at all since 7:58am Thursday May 29, 2008! I am trying of not sleeping for an other
day or 2. Im not really tired so i might be able to do it.
-Addy Parker
P.S. I am only a kid!
Posted by Addy Parker in Denver, CO on Fri May 30, 2008 at 07:28 AMday or 2. Im not really tired so i might be able to do it.
-Addy Parker
P.S. I am only a kid!
Ya! fight the man!
Posted by Henry in Los Angeles on Sat May 31, 2008 at 06:09 PMPage 2 of 3 pages < 1 2 3 >