The phenomena that happen when someone sleeps are as varied as they are abundant: from sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, sleep talk. Each one with both physical and psychological explanations. In this sense, this discipline reveals the true meaning of talking while you sleep.
When this happens, the person has no memory of what happened when he wakes up. There may be whispers, babbling and even screams that take place during sleep. The sentences usually do not make sense and usually reflect repressed emotions or feelings.
What does it mean to talk while you’re asleep?
The phenomenon is called Somniloquy and it is a parasomnia, that is, a sleep disorder. It consists of the person speaking without being conscious while resting. It can take place both in the REM phase (in which we dream) and in the non-REM phase. Upon waking up, the person remembers absolutely nothing. Sometimes the words have nothing to do with what is dreamed, and may not make any conscious sense.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicineup to two-thirds of people experience at least one episode of somniloquy in their lifetime. The Sleep Foundation agrees: about 66% of the population has spoken in their sleep at some point, although only 5% of adults do so on a recurring basis.
The phenomenon is usually harmlessbut it can be striking: the speech can range from whispers, laughter or murmursuntil emotionally charged phrases or even screams. A study published in the journal Sleep analyzed more than 2,300 speech episodes during sleep and found that the 59% were non-verbal soundswhile the rest followed grammatical structures similar to those of waking speech.
As for the causes, a single origin is not known, but evidence points to a genetic component. Research with twins has shown that heritability explains about 50% of the risk of somniloquy, especially in people who also exhibit somnambulism, bruxism or nightmares. Besidesstress, anxiety, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation or jet lag can act as triggers.
When to worry
In most cases, sleep talking does not require medical treatment. However, it may be a reason for consultation when it affects the quality of rest, is combined with other parasomnias or generates emotional discomfort.
The Sleep Foundation recommends paying attention if the episodes are frequent, violent, or disrupt sleep from other people, as they could be associated with more complex sleep disorders, such as obstructive apnea or REM sleep behavior disorder.
It is also advisable to go to a specialist when somniloquy begins in adulthood without a previous history or is accompanied by sudden movements or sleepwalking, as this could indicate an imbalance in sleep phases or an underlying neurological disorder.
The most effective preventive measures include maintain a stable sleep routineavoid stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol before bed, and practice relaxation techniques or meditation to reduce stress. In persistent cases, a sleep study or polysomnography can help identify if other disturbances are involved.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
