The Endless Vigil: Meet the 80-Yr-Old Man Who Hasn’t Slept in 60 Years

Sleep is a vital activity for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, considered as essential as having food. However, it is hard to fathom a life without sleep, let alone being deprived of it for years. In an extraordinary case, an 80-year-old man from Vietnam named Thai Ngoc claims to have not slept a single night since 1962, following a childhood fever. This unique condition has baffled medical experts and intrigued people worldwide.

A Life Without Sleep:

Thai Ngoc’s family, friends, and neighbours have never witnessed him sleeping, and numerous medical experts have examined his case, yet none have been able to confirm any instance of sleep. Ngoc seemingly suffers from permanent insomnia but has surprisingly not experienced any adverse health effects from his sleeplessness.

The Search for Answers:

Recently, YouTuber Drew Binsky travelled to a small village in South Vietnam to meet Thai Ngoc and uncover more about his exceptional case. Drew speculated that Ngoc’s sleeplessness could be attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from the Vietnam War, which took place between 1955 and 1975.

The War’s Impact:

During Drew’s conversation with Ngoc, the Vietnam War veteran mentioned that he sustains himself on green tea and rice wine. Despite feeling desperate for a nap, Ngoc persists without sleep. Drew’s observation, combined with Ngoc’s war-related hand injury, led to the hypothesis that PTSD could be a significant factor contributing to his sleeplessness.

The Internet’s Fascination:

The story of Thai Ngoc captivated people on the internet, who found it both tragic and remarkable. Many pointed out that Ngoc has lived longer than anyone else in terms of waking hours, making him the “oldest man to have ever lived.” Users expressed amazement at Ngoc’s ability to function normally without sleep and conveyed sympathy for his longing to experience restful slumber.