What is going on in the heads of sleepwalkers?

Sleepwalking, this fascinating phenomenon that makes us walk, talk and even perform complex actions in the middle of sleep, has long fueled mysteries and fantasies.

Today, science is beginning to lift the veil on the mechanisms underlying these strange nocturnal wanderings.

Walk of a sleeping brain?

The idea that sleepwalkers’ brains are “asleep” is not entirely accurate. In reality, certain brain areas are wide awakenotably those responsible for motor control and sensory perception.

This is what allows sleepwalkers to perform coordinated movements and interact with their environment, sometimes in surprisingly complex ways.

So what’s going on?

Imagine your brain as a complex orchestra. During normal sleep, all the musicians are asleep and the symphony stops.

But among sleepwalkers, certain groups of musicians wake up suddenly, creating a discordant cacophony. This abnormal brain activity results in the strange behaviors we observe.

But what wakes up these sleeping musicians?

Several factors can play a role:

Sleep deprivation : when we lack sleep, the brain is more likely to experience electrical “discharges” which can trigger episodes of somnambulism.
Stress and anxiety : These emotional states can disrupt sleep and increase the risk of sleepwalking.
Drug and alcohol use : certain substances can alter sleep and promote nocturnal behavior problems.
Excessive physical activity before sleeping : Physical excitement can also disrupt sleep and trigger episodes of sleepwalking.

Much more than just a night walk

Sleepwalking is not trivial. It can be accompanied by risk of injurybecause sleepwalkers are not aware of their surroundings and may bump into or fall.

Additionally, some sleepwalkers may engage in more dangerous behaviors, such as drive, eat or even put yourself in danger.

If you or someone you know suffers from sleepwalking, it is important to see a doctor to identify the cause.