A recent study sheds light on various sleep-related behaviors, particularly during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage, which occurs in deep sleep cycles. Vivian Correa, the lead author of the study, explains that individuals experiencing NREM parasomnias often find themselves in a state between sleep and wakefulness, where activities like sitting up, walking around, handling sharp objects, leaving home, or even driving can occur.
Parasomnias such as sleepwalking, emotional outbursts, and even violent behaviors during sleep have been documented. The study, which analyzed YouTube videos depicting such behaviors, revealed differences in prevalence across age and gender groups. For instance, elderly individuals exhibited lower rates of sleepwalking but higher rates of aggressive movements in bed compared to adults and children. Moreover, females showed higher odds of performing complex manual activities during sleep compared to males.
While the exact causes of these sleep-related behaviors remain unclear, stress, anxiety, and alcohol intake are considered contributing factors. Although sleep disorders affect a significant portion of the population, most individuals tend to outgrow them. However, seeking medical attention for challenging or traumatic sleep episodes is crucial to prevent potential harm.
They suggest strategies such as stress reduction, adequate sleep, and moderation in alcohol consumption to mitigate the risk of experiencing these phenomena. While the study acknowledges the limitations of analyzing YouTube videos without demographic or historical data, it calls for more comprehensive methods in future research endeavors.
Source: Daily Mail
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