Nonsleep

Nonsleep is a nonclinical term used to describe the state of not sleeping or of extended wakefulness. It is not a formal diagnosis but is employed in discussions of sleep deprivation, insomnia, or experimental protocols to denote periods in which normal sleep is suppressed or prevented.

In humans, wakefulness is regulated by circadian rhythms and homeostatic sleep pressure. Prolonged nonsleep increases sleep propensity but can produce cognitive and motor impairments, mood fluctuations, and perceptual distortions. Physiologically, sleep deprivation alters hormones such as cortisol and melatonin, affects glucose metabolism, and can compromise immune function.

Short-term nonsleep can cause microsleeps and reduced vigilance; long-term or repeated nonsleep is associated with higher risks of accidents and chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and mental health disorders.

In research, nonsleep is often operationally defined as hours of wakefulness without sleep, measured by polysomnography or actigraphy, and is used in studies of wakefulness maintenance and sleep debt.

Management emphasizes regular sleep schedules, sleep-conducive environments, avoidance of stimulants close to bedtime, and medical consultation for chronic sleep problems. Adequate, regular sleep is generally recommended as the primary approach to reducing the risks associated with nonsleep.