The question is not whether sleep deprivation can kill you. It's when.
Most people know that sleep deprivation can lead to many health problems, but they may not know how quickly it can take a person's life.
Sleep deprivation is the most common form of torture, and interrogators have used it to break prisoners' wills. The military and schools have also used it as punishment.
The most common way that sleep deprivation can kill you is by making you more susceptible to illness. Sleep deprivation can lead to a weakened immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight infections and other diseases.
Sleep deprivation can also cause an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Sleep-deprived individuals have higher cortisol levels, leading to weight gain and high cholesterol.
There is even a link between sleep deprivation and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer's disease.