History Main / TheSleepless

* It is not quite sleeplessness, but humans can adapt to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphasic_sleep relatively small amounts of sleep]]. Long-distance solo boat racers will typically sleep only twenty minutes or so every few hours, totaling two or three hours a day, for months at a time. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Erdos Paul Erdős]], the CrazyAwesome mathematician, slept about the same amount for many years, although this may be attributed to amphetamine use.

* It is not quite sleeplessness, but humans can adapt to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphasic_sleep relatively small amounts of sleep]]. Long-distance solo boat racers will typically sleep only twenty minutes or so every few hours, totaling two or three hours a day, for months at a time. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Erd%C5%91s Paul Erdős]], the CrazyAwesome mathematician, slept about the same amount for many years, although this may be attributed to amphetamine use.

* In Steve Jackson Games InNomine, the vessels used by celestials (angels and demons) don't require sleep, although they can go to sleep if they want to travel [[DreamLand the Marches]]. Undead also don't need sleep and unlike celestials, CAN'T sleep.

* In an episode of ''{{Angel}}'', Lorne temporarily had his need for sleep removed. [[PowerIncontinence It didn't end well]].

* In an episode of ''{{Angel}}'', Lorne temporarily had his need for sleep removed. [[PowerIncontinence It doesn't end too well]].

* In an episode of ''{{Angel}}'', Lorne has his sleep removed. [[PowerIncontinence It doesn't end too well]].

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* Alphonse from ''FullMetalAlchemist'' discovers that his artificial body is incapable of sleep. At one point he claims the greatest reason for wanting his real body back is that he gets so lonely at night.
** [[spoiler: Hohenheim and Father]] in the manga are both visited by the story in context of their dream-reminiscing the Xerxes flashback arc; Envy comments upon the supreme weirdness of seeing [[spoiler: the old man]] sleeping. The regular homunculi don't appear to be incapable of sleeping, but also don't appear to actually need it based on their work schedules and things; none of them are ever actually seen to engage in sleep.
* Gaara of ''{{Naruto}}'' was like this for a long time, partly because if he did fall asleep Shukaku would take over his body.
** Which certainly contributed to his mental instability. Only one of several things that contributed to it, but almost certainly the most damaging.

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* ''Dilbert'' once tried to impress a potential employer at a job interview by claiming that he's such a workaholic, he makes himself ill by never pausing to eat or sleep for days at a time. [[spoiler: They rejected his job application because he "wasn't hungry enough".]]

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* Averted throughout the ''ANightmareOnElmStreet'' franchise, as teens who stay awake to avoid Freddy's assaults get progressively more messed up by lack of rest.

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* The SuperSoldiers from season 6 or 7 of ''TheXFiles''.
** Also from ''TheXFiles'', the first case Mulder worked with Krycek on was in an episode entitled 'Sleepless', about soldiers of the 'cannot sleep' variety. Mulder himself is a chronic insomniac.
* In an episode of ''{{Angel}}'', Lorne has his sleep removed. It doesn't end too well.

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* Zimmy of ''GunnerkriggCourt'' cannot sleep, it's the least of her problems.
** Also note that her best friend does ''not'' have this ability, but tries to stay up with Zimmy anyway. There's a reason she walks around like a zombie.

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* Zeetha of ''GirlGenius'' knows Skifandran mental exercises that let her go for days without sleep, no problem. They're hardly ever taught to outsiders. Oh, and the Baron knows them (and taught his son).

* In ''{{Supernatural}}'' [[spoiler: Sam no longer sleeps due to his [[TheHeartless lack of a soul.]] It doesn't seem to have had any particular effect on him; his behavior has changed, but it's attributed to the soullessness rather than the permanent wakefulness.

Lets face it, sleep is inconvenient. It leaves you vulnerable to your enemies and it wastes a huge portion of your day that you could use for all sorts of stuff. Wouldn't it be great if you didn't have to sleep?

* Alphonse from ''FullMetalAlchemist'' discovers that his artificial body is incapable of sleep. At one point he claims the greatest reason for wanting his really body back is that he gets so lonely at night.

** Also from ''TheXFiles'', the first case Mulder worked with Krycek on was in an episode entitled 'Sleepless', about soldiers of the 'cannot sleep' variety.

* Max of ''DarkAngel'' at least claimed she didn't need to sleep. I can't remember if this was ever verified, but she did seem to be awake at all hours.

** In one of the 3rd Edition D&D novellas, Mialee regrets her own elvish inability to sleep, as she's got a terrible hangover and wishes she could sleep it off like a human. (Yeah, I know, trance is usually an equivalent sleep-analog, but not for this purpose.)

* ''Beggars In Spain'' involves genetically upgraded humans called the Sleepless (of the "cannot-sleep" variety), and the repercussions of these {{Born Winner}}s on society. {{XMen}} meets genepunk. (BetterThanItSounds—like, [[HugoAward Hugo-]] and NebulaAward-winning better.)

See also NoRestForTheWicked.

* ''Beggars In Spain'' involves genetically upgraded humans called the Sleepless (of the "cannot-sleep" variety), and the repercussions of these {{Born Winner}}s on society. {{XMen}} meets genepunk. (BetterThanItSounds—like, [[HugoAward Hugo-]] and NebulaAward-winning better.)

* ''Beggars In Spain'' involves genetically upgraded humans called the Sleepless who have eliminated the need for sleep (among other changes) and the repercussions of this on society.