Can you lose brain cells from not sleeping?

Question

like days without sleeping, without using any kind of drugs to aid it... what can happen, besides getting exhausted and needing to sleep eventually.

Answer 1

According to a 2000 study published in the British scientific journal, researchers in Australia and New Zealand reported that sleep deprivation can have some of the same hazardous effects as being drunk.[14][15] People who drove after being awake for 17–19 hours performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent, which is the legal limit for drunk driving in most western European countries (the U.S. set their blood alcohol limits at .08 percent).

Effects of Sleep Deprivation (Lack of sleep) may result in:
* Aching muscles
* ADHD like symptoms
* Blurred vision
* Clinical depression
* Color blindness
* Daytime Naps
* Decreased mental activity
* Decreased concentration
* Decreased ability for the immune system to fight off sickness
* Dizziness
* Fainting
* General confusion
* Hallucinations
* Hand tremors
* Headache
* Hernia
* Hypertension/Hyperactivity
* Impatience
* Irritability
* Memory lapses / memory loss
* Nausea
* Nystagmus (rapid involuntary rhythmic eye movement)
* Psychosis
* Pale skin tone (looking pasty)
* Slowed reaction time
* Slurred speech
* Weight gain
* Yawning

Answer 2

this is a popular myth “you cannot grow new brain cells”

It turns out that the brain is constantly churning out new brain cells.

By cutting your sleep short, you limit the growth of new brain cells that form in your brain.
Most adults need 8-9 of sleep per night to maintain proper health, but the majority I seem to know are getting much less than this.

Interestingly, over the past couple years, research has accumulated showing that several of the most important diseases may be caused or worsened by sleep deprivation:

diabetes
heart disease
cancer

Answer 3

First of all when you hit the age of about 15 or so that is when brain cells start to die off! Lack of sleep tends to make your reactions slow and you lose the ability to be able to think clearly. Hence you shouldn't drive if you are tired because you are more likely to make mistakes.

Answer 4

I have not heard of any loss of brain cells from this type of activity. However, those who suffer from the condition called obstructive sleep apnea due in fact lose large amounts of brain cells for lack of oxygen getting to the brain while in various states of sleep.

Answer 5

Brain cells are always dying since the day you were born

Answer 6

No you won't but you will get a brain chemical imbalence from not sleeping.

Answer 7

I lost a few myself so it must be possible.

Answer 8

yes but they will grow back

Answer 9

what do you think