It is estimated that around 6 per cent of the British public suffer from sleepwalking. Of those UK sufferers, 95 per cent of are male.
But just what causes sleepwalking? And is it true that waking a sleepwalker could result in them having a violent outburst? We took a look at some of the real-life science going on behind somnambulists (that’s sleepwalkers to you and me).
Experts believe sleepwalking is caused by the brain moving from one phase of sleep into another. Usually as you move into the stage of sleep when you dream, your body automatically de-activates your muscles. In some people that doesn’t happen, and as a result this leads to them sleepwalking.
What causes it?
It seems that sleepwalking is hereditary, so if your parents or grandparents were sleepwalkers then there’s a higher chance that you will be too.
Other factors including high levels of stress can also bring it on, as can certain kinds of medicine, ironically some of which are sold to aid restful sleep!
Sleepwalking: the figures
Sleepwalking is actually a lot rarer than 1920s farces would have you believe – around 6 per cent of people sleepwalk, although in children this rises to 7-8 per cent.
The majority just move around a bit and it’s only a very small percentage – around 0.5 per cent - who actually become violent during the night. The peak time for sleepwalking is about two to three hours into sleep.
Different types of sleepwalkers
There are sleep shouters, sleep eaters, even sleep killers. Perhaps one of the strangest is the case of somniloquists (or sleeptalkers), such as Dion McGregor who used to narrate all of his dreams out loud and use them as lyrics for songs such as Barbara Streisand's 'Where is the Wonder'.
Sleep emailers
Sleepwalkers aren’t unconscious when they sleepwalk, they’re between waking and sleeping and that means that they’re able to do some relatively advanced things, like emailing.
One woman in America would log on and send emails, including one to a friend that read: "Come tomorrow and sort this hell hole out. Dinner and drinks at 4.00pm. Bring wine and caviar only."
Deadly slumber
Although the percentage of those who become violent whilst asleep is very small, some sleepwalkers have killed in their sleep. In 1987, Kenneth Parks was acquitted of killing his parents-in-law on the grounds that he was asleep at the time of the murder.
Do not handle when drowsy
Sleepwalkers often do things that they would do in their waking lives in their sleep. Some have been found operating heavy machinery, including cars and power tools, and there are also stories of sleepwalkers who have mown the lawn in the nude.
Lock up your refrigerator
Eating during a bout of sleepwalking is particularly common and even has its own name – NES or Night Eating Syndrome. Sufferers find themselves unconsciously heading to the kitchen and bingeing on all manner of foods and, unbelievably, sometimes even cooking!
What to do
Generally it's a myth that waking a sleepwalker is in any way dangerous, although if they are disorientated then they may lash out. The best bet is to coax them gently back to bed - and tuck them in extra tightly.
Celebrity sleepwalkers
Sleepwalking can affect even Hollywood stars. Bobby Brown has apparently suffered issues with night-time urinating and Jennifer Aniston says that she has set off her home burglar alarm with her nocturnal wanderings.
The final Curious © phrase:
“I go the way that Providence dictates with the assurance of a sleepwalker”
(Adolf Hitler)
