Is staying up over 24 hours really that bad for you?

[Anonymous]

So right now I've been around 20h awake. I'm currently studying and it's like 3 AM over here. The thing is my parents keep complaining that I will get sick and won't make any progress if I stay awake over 24 hours. I still have around 6-8 more hours of studying.
But the thing is I function WAY better when I have stayed awake for long or work at night.
But my parents don't sometimes seem to understand this.

Yes

No

Go get some sleep

[GuyWannaHelp]

It is possible that your body adapted to staying away for long amounts of time. This can give the feeling you can focus better when you are awake for longer. Yet, your brain does the actual remembering when you are sleeping. You need a good nights sleep to store the bulk of information you accumulated throughout the day.

I am with your parents on this one, it is best that you go get some sleep.

[Asker]

I can still remember the things I learned even though I stay awake long. I can just function for longer I guess? And I do believe I can focus better when staying up longer. My math calculations are a proof of that :D

[GuyWannaHelp]

Be that as it may, it is still better in the long run to sleep. You wear out your body by staying up so long, sleep is quite important.

[Smileyface93]

Staying up that long every once in a while shouldn't do any harm, but definitely don't do it routinely. Doing it often would eventually take its toll on your body.

[Anonymous]

Not if you do it every once in a while

[SnowHearth]

Yes.