In the early 20th century, a terrifying medical “truth” swept through hospitals, classrooms, and newspapers: you shouldn’t let someone sleep after hitting their head—or they might slip into a coma and die. Parents were told to wake their children hourly after a bump to the skull. Doctors reinforced it. Even today, many people still believe it.
But here’s the wild twist: that “fact” was never based on medical evidence.
The idea took hold in the early 1900s during a time when concussions were poorly understood, and most brain injuries were assumed to be fatal if not closely monitored. Doctors noticed that patients who lost consciousness from a serious head injury and didn’t wake up often had worse outcomes—so the logic became:keep them awake to keep them alive.
Unfortunately, correlation was mistaken for causation. Staying awake didn’t prevent brain damage—it just delayed treatment. The myth snowballed through repetition, public health pamphlets, and media coverage. It became common wisdom.
Today, neurologists say the truth is the opposite: sleep is often helpful for recovery, and trying to force a sleep-deprived, concussed person to stay awake can worsen symptoms. What matters isn’t whether they sleep—it’s whether they can be wokenand respond normally when they do.
This myth is a perfect example of how fear, repetition, and "discoveries" without strict adherence to the scientific method can embed false ideas deep into culture—sometimes for over a century. So, if someone gets a bump on the head, don’t panic and keep them awake all night. Just check that they can wake up and think clearly when they do.