People Who Never Sleep

A Rare Disease That Blocks Sleep

Some people suffer from a rare, deadly condition where the brain slowly loses its ability to sleep—no matter how exhausted the body becomes.

It Begins with Mild Insomnia

The condition usually starts as regular insomnia, but over time, the body completely loses the ability to fall asleep naturally.

The Brain Stops Regulating Sleep

As the disease progresses, the part of the brain that controls sleep—the thalamus—begins to deteriorate, making sleep impossible.

Triggers Mental and Physical Breakdown

Without rest, the body and mind suffer. Patients experience hallucinations, weight loss, panic attacks, and eventually organ failure.

There Is No Cure or Treatment

Known as fatal familial insomnia, this condition has no known cure and often leads to death within months to a few years of symptom onset.

It’s Passed Down Through Families

FFI is inherited and extremely rare, affecting only a few dozen families worldwide. Genetic testing is the only way to confirm it in advance.

Real Case: Fatal Sleeplessness

One well-known case involved an Italian man who stopped sleeping at age 53 and died within a year—his brain showed total sleep loss.