In 1964, a 17-year-old high school student named Randy Gardner embarked on an extraordinary science fair project: he decided to see how long he could stay awake. With the help of classmates and under the watch of sleep researchers, Randy pushed the boundaries of human wakefulness, aiming to break the world record. This wasn't just a simple test of endurance, but a fascinating, albeit risky, dive into the unknown effects of prolonged sleep deprivation on the human body and mind.⁠ ⁠ Day after day, Randy remained awake, surpassing the existing record. He ultimately reached an astonishing 264 hours and 25 minutes without sleep – that's over 11 days! His journey through sleeplessness was documented, revealing a range of effects including mood swings, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and even hallucinations. It was a stark demonstration of the vital role sleep plays in cognitive function and overall well-being.⁠ ⁠ While Randy Gardner recovered without apparent long-term effects, his ...