Chronic forced sleep deprivation creates its own altered state – not unlike being high or drunk – the autopilot makes you move through the day, talk and even perform tasks, actions, that might appear conscious – but really they are not, and you have zero recollection of you actually doing them.

I am typing these words on my phone, but in an hour looking at my phone would be the only way for me to remember that the act of typing actually took place (though the fact that I just mentioned it might make a better memory imprint – it’s like a schroedinger’s cat in this regard).

And the pain when waking up is almost physical.