Sleepwalking, medically known as somnambulism, is a type of Non-REM (NREM) parasomnia. This sleep disorder occurs when an individual performs complex activities while in a state of low consciousness—essentially stuck between the worlds of sleep and wakefulness.
While the name implies simply walking, this parasomnia often involves a range of behaviors. During an episode, a sleepwalker may:
Sit up in bed and look around.
Walk through the house or go to the bathroom.
Perform “glassy-eyed” stares with a glazed expression.
Engage in complex (and potentially dangerous) tasks like cooking or driving.
To an outside observer, these actions might appear purposeful. However, because the brain is still technically asleep, the individual will usually have no memory of the event the next morning.
There is a common myth that waking a sleepwalker can cause a heart attack or brain damage. This is false.
While waking someone during an episode will not cause physical harm, they may be extremely confused, disoriented, or even momentarily agitated upon snapping out of deep sleep. It is generally best to gently guide them back to bed rather than startling them.
