Is it possible to fall asleep standing up without leaning against anything?

Answer 1

In the Army me and a buddy snapped the chin straps of our helmets together so if one did fall the other would wake up.
You get tired enough you can sleep with your eyes open standing up.
Been there done that.
Awake once for 117 hours no drugs even caffine just sugar and fear.

Answer 2

In severe cases of sleep apnea yes.

"Hi there! I am a RPSGT (sleep technologist) and work in a sleep lab. It sounds to me like he has sleep apnea.I have seen TONS of patients with the same complaints...they fall asleep anywhere and everywhere, sleep poorly, can't lay down to sleep, etc. He is doing the falling asleep standing up because he is SOOOO sleep deprived from the apnea that his brain will take it anyway it can get it. I'm betting he has either: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or headaches in the morning. Tell him (if he doesn't already have it) he can develop diabetes, and unless he gets treated he will die about 10 years sooner. SO he needs to go to a doctor that will order him a sleep study. ALSO when you have severe sleep apnea it is almost impossible to lose weight. SO if you tell him to get a sleep study, and he has apnea....tell him there is a treatment that will not only keep him awake and have more energy, he will also lose weight, lower his blood pressure, and increase his life span. In short, he won't fall over asleep anymore! But it sounds like he needs to get this done ASAP or he is gonna kill himself or someone else (while driving)!! I hope this helps."

Answer 3

yes it is possible but by the time the person falls asleep. he or she would lose control of their body and fall thus waking them back up again. Hence also why nobody does. interesting question and it can be done. Youll just fall asleep for about 1/2 a second though and wouldnt really call it sleep

Answer 4

Yes and there is a name for this, but can't think of it at the moment, hope to get back to you in this.

Here you go
What is narcolepsy?

The cause of narcolepsy is unknown. The neurological disorder is characterized by excessive sleepiness that is typically associated with cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone and paralysis of voluntary muscles that is associated with a strong emotion) and other REM sleep abnormalities such as sleep paralysis, (Imobility of the body that occurs in the transition from sleep to wakefulness.) and hypnagogic hallucinations ( pre-sleep dreams).

What are the symptoms?


excessive sleepiness or sudden muscle weakness
cataplexy (a sudden loss in muscle tone and deep tendon reflexes leading to muscle weakness, temporary paralysis or a complete postural collapse. Cataplexy is usually brought on by an outburst of emotion - notably laughter, anger or startle.)
sleep paralysis
hypnagogic hallucinations
automatic behaviors (like driving home and not remembering how you got there!)
disrupted major sleep episode (disruption of the longest sleep episode that occurs on a daily basis)
Polysomnography shows one or more of the following:
The onset of sleep is less than 10 minutes
The onset of REM sleep is less than 20 minutes and
A Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) that demonstrates an average sleep onset of less than 5 minutes
HLA typing demonstrates DR2 positivity (Blood contains markers for narcolepsy)
How serious is this disorder?

Narcolepsy is not a fatal disorder in itself. Narcolepsy has a great impact on functionability. Due to the excessive sleepiness, narcoleptics may fall asleep while driving and that is sometimes fatal. There are different levels of severity. Some with this disorder may have mild sleepiness or rare cataplexy (less than once per week). Others may have moderate sleepiness or infrequent cataplexy (less than daily). Yet others may experience severe sleepiness or severe cataplexy (daily). Narcolepsy is usually treated with a medication to improve alertness and an anti-depressant that helps control cataplexy. In February 1999, a new drug, Provigil (Modafinil) is to be distributed for use in controlling sleepiness in narcolepsy.

Answer 5

Yes it's possible but usually results in the person falling over.

Answer 6

Yes but the length of time you sleep would be a waste of energy as you cannot relax enough to re-energize and you would wake up with a shock and probably jolt about a bit.

Answer 7

i have seen people fall asleep standing up but leaning agaisnt a wall. i guess you would fall over otherwise. but saying that you do have sleep walkers

Answer 8

Yes it is!

I never thought so, but six weeks of Basic training for the Air Force taught me otherwise. And it was good quality sleep...power naps really do help!

Answer 9

It most certainly is. I used to work nights and a guy that i knew back then did it all the time. What was really strange however was when he would continue with his job, whilst asleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We used to joke that he was far more productive that way.

Answer 10

Yes but staying standing is another story.