Meet Paul Kern: The Man Who Survived 40 Years Without Sleep.

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. It is
one of our most basic needs. Studies have
shown that adequate sleep promotes immune
function, healing and much more. Sleeping is
such an innate drive that people will actually
choose it over eating.
A good night’s sleep is one of life’s sweetest
blessings. And yet, nobody knows what sleep
really is–not even neuroscientists.
You’ve probably heard that we need to do it in
order to stay sane, to stay alive, but beyond
that, much of its exact function still remains a
mystery. When people don’t get enough sleep,
they begin to hallucinate and go slightly crazy.
Sleep deprivation paints a very stark picture.
It can result in psychotic episodes and
breakdowns, pre-sleep twilight, weight loss,
dementia, paranoia, and yes, even death.
If you happen to suffer from bouts of
insomnia, then you know just how important it
is to get some shut eye. You’ll also be able to
sympathize with the subject of this bizarre
medical case from 1915. He is one of the only
known people to have ever survived without
sleep for an extended period of time.
During the First World War, Paul Kern , a
Hungarian soldier, was shot in the head. After
recovering from the frontal lobe injury, he was
no longer able to fall asleep or become
drowsy, not even with narcotics, sedatives, or
hypnotism. Doctors initially told him that he
wouldn’t live very long, but they were shocked
to discover they were completely wrong.
Kern thrived. Instead of sleeping, he would
simply lie down and close his eyes to rest
from time to time. He went on to live a
healthy, abundant life and survive without
sleep for 40 years, until his death in 1955.
So, how long can humans stay awake? The
answer remains unclear.
We spend a third of our lives sleeping. It is
one of our most basic needs. Studies have
shown that adequate sleep promotes immune
function, healing and much more. Sleeping is
such an innate drive that people will actually
choose it over eating.
A good night’s sleep is one of life’s sweetest
blessings. And yet, nobody knows what sleep
really is–not even neuroscientists.
You’ve probably heard that we need to do it in
order to stay sane, to stay alive, but beyond
that, much of its exact function still remains a
mystery. When people don’t get enough sleep,
they begin to hallucinate and go slightly crazy.
Sleep deprivation paints a very stark picture.
It can result in psychotic episodes and
breakdowns, pre-sleep twilight, weight loss,
dementia, paranoia, and yes, even death.
If you happen to suffer from bouts of
insomnia, then you know just how important it
is to get some shut eye. You’ll also be able to
sympathize with the subject of this bizarre
medical case from 1915. He is one of the only
known people to have ever survived without
sleep for an extended period of time.
During the First World War, Paul Kern , a
Hungarian soldier, was shot in the head. After
recovering from the frontal lobe injury, he was
no longer able to fall asleep or become
drowsy, not even with narcotics, sedatives, or
hypnotism. Doctors initially told him that he
wouldn’t live very long, but they were shocked
to discover they were completely wrong.
Kern thrived. Instead of sleeping, he would
simply lie down and close his eyes to rest
from time to time. He went on to live a
healthy, abundant life and survive without
sleep for 40 years, until his death in 1955.
So, how long can humans stay awake? The
answer remains unclear.
Image: iStockImage: iStock