Talk:The Russian Sleep Experiment/@comment-24056817-20131016052815

While the story is somewhat exagerrated, sleep deprivation can lead to psychotic traits developing in completely normal individuals. I do not have any psychological disorders, but when I go without sleep for at least 36 or so hours, I begin to hear voices, or have distorted vision.

My personal belief is that this occurs when the brain essentially shuts down- it enters a sleeping state, even if the body is conscious. A similar phenomena can occur in the form of sleep hallucinations, where you become physically conscious for some reason, but your brain is still in REM sleep, resulting in visual phantoms, as internal dream activity mixes with sensory inputs from your body.

From my experience, the general chain of sleep deprivation is this:

1) tiredness: you want to sleep, and you feel ready to conk out.

2) Second wind: you gain a burst of perceived energy that keeps you going for at least a few more hours. Just don't lay down. You won't wake up again until you're rested.

3) Motor impediment: your brain begins to shut down less important functions. You might start slurring your words, and lose some level of mental cohesion. You make less sense, and can be confused as your brain struggles to stay aware.

4) The brink of insanity: After a long enough time without sleep, your brain will enter a resting state, even if you are physically awake. You may start seeing and hearing things at this point. Your brain is effectively whacked out from strain.

5) I have never gone past stage 4. When I start hearing things, I go "Yep, time for bed." Who knows what happens after that? Who would dare risk giving into the tendrils of the insanity which lurks in the primal depths of our souls? Who would take the chance of letting the beast without reason take the reins, surrendering to a frightful state? Not I. But there might be somepony who would. Good luck, and try to regain your reason once you are done, that I may learn.