Brain damage from long term sleep deprivation?

Question

Is there any lasting physiological effect on the brain from long term sleep deprivation?

How about lasting emotional effects? Does the paranoia or do the hallucinations persist, even after the individual has rested? I am looking for personal experience from individuals and researchers.

Answer 1

Sleep is a needed every night. I suffer from insomia, and know that yes, emotional side effects are long term due to lack of sleep. If the peropd of no sleep is over a week, there will be many physical effects as well as mental issues.

I have never had the hallucinations, but paranoia, depression, and severe mood swings last for a long time. The longest time I've been awake, was 120 hours (5 days). The physical side effects were weak muscles, muscle spasms, headaches, blurred vision, foggy memory, and passing out in the end. I woke up in the ER after that. That was 5 years ago, and I still suffer from insomia, but most of the other effects went away after a month of "normal" sleeping.

Answer 2

When I deprive myself of sleep, I cannot concentrate on anything while I am awake. Also, I see little men running around in black capes with pitch forks. They all have bad breath and cannot sustain a decent conversation. These conditions usually persist until I go to sleep for at least 12 hours. Then I am as good as new!
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Modest_mouse41, There is neither specific evidence which clearly establishes the mechanism whereby amphetamines produce mental and behavioural effects in children, nor conclusive evidence regarding how these effects relate to the condition of the central nervous system, so regarding the part of your question relating to possible brain damage from taking adderall - dextroamphetamine, there is no available information at this time. If you have fully researched this subject, as you state that you have done, you should have discovered that amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) is a powerful psychostimulant consisting of 4 different amphetamine compounds that is used primarily in the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy but also used off label for treatment resistant depression, as a study drug and as a performance enhancer in sports. These four salts are metabolized at different rates and possess diverse half lives, thereby resulting in a less dramatic onset and termination of therapeutic action, as compared to single-salt amphetamine preparations. The mean elimination half-life for d-amphetamine is 11 hours in adolescents aged 13 to 17 years and weighing less than or equal to 75 kg/165 lbs. respectively. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine works by stimulating the release of the chemicals, norepinephrine and dopamine. As a stimulant, it would naturally have the effect of keeping you from sleep. (Although, on occasions, it may have the opposite effect.) You would be advised to discuss this problem with your doctor with a view to possibly reviewing the dose. You should also be aware that, like other powerful stimulant drugs, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, Adderall directly affects the mesolimbic reward pathway within the brain. Because of this, Adderall has a relatively high potential for abuse and addiction. More importantly, because Adderall has a powerful effect of increasing blood pressure, it carries the same risk of sudden death, stroke, and heart attack, as do methylphenidate and other stimulants used to treat ADHD, as well as the same risk of seizures in patients with a history of seizures. Studies of long-term use of Adderall and methylphenidate in children have shown a temporary decrease in growth rate that does not affect final adult height. Stimulant medications also decrease appetite in some people, leading to weight loss, and this effect is more common with Adderall than methylphenidate or atomoxetine. Changes in vision have been reported with both Adderall and methylphenidate. Significant hair loss can also be experienced whilst taking this medication, although this is not a frequently reported side-effect. ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED. It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms. The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Hope this helps matador 89

Answer 4

I had a friend who partied hearty before embarking on a long hard trip in the car - someone else was driving. They took cat naps until they got to their destination- Along the way they got lost had a flat tire... When they finally arrived, they sat down to eat in a restaurant and the friend had a major seizure. After many tests the doctors decided the seizure was form sleep deprivation and stress. She's never had another one. It was very scary to witness.

Answer 5

Oh wow, a few years ago there was a research about it, there is a family in Italy and I mean a WHOLE family that has a DNA defect, one day they just can't sleep anymore!!!, they simply cannot fall asleep, one of the members of that family donated his living body to science, they showed videos of what happened when you simply cannot fall asleep, it is the most horrible nightmare I've ever seen!.