What Are 5 Weird Things People Do While Asleep?

Introduction

Have you ever woken up wondering what your body or brain might’ve been doing while you were fast asleep? You’re not alone—and the answer can be surprisingly weird. Some people talk, walk, eat, or even send text messages while they’re completely unconscious. Yes, these bizarre nighttime behaviors are more common than you’d think—and often happen without the sleeper ever knowing.

In this article, we’ll explore five of the strangest things people do while asleep, why they happen, and whether they’re harmless quirks or signs of something more serious. From unsettling sleepwalking episodes to jaw-dropping cases of sleep-driving, these behaviors reveal just how active—and unpredictable—our brains can be at night.

Best Sleep Accessories for Managing Nighttime Behaviors

If you or someone you know experiences unusual behavior during sleep, the right tools can make a big difference. From tracking sleep patterns to creating a calming environment, these sleep accessories can help bring insight, safety, and peace of mind.

1. Withings Sleep Tracking Mat

Why we picked it:
This under-mattress sensor tracks your heart rate, breathing, and movement—all without wearing a device. It’s great for identifying unusual sleep events like sleepwalking or talking.

2. Loftie Smart Alarm Clock

Why we picked it:
Designed to support healthy sleep habits, this alarm clock offers soothing sounds, no-blue-light lighting, and guided meditations—perfect for people who experience nighttime disturbances.

3. VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor (also for adults)

Why we picked it:
Originally built for infants, many use this crisp audio monitor to listen for signs of sleepwalking, talking, or other odd nighttime behaviors—especially helpful for caregivers or partners.

Sleepwalking: Walking While Unconscious (Word Count: 280)

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is one of the most well-known and baffling sleep behaviors. Imagine getting out of bed, walking around the house, or even leaving the home—all while completely unconscious. People who sleepwalk typically have their eyes open but aren’t aware of their surroundings and won’t remember the episode afterward.

This strange activity usually occurs during the deep stages of non-REM sleep, often in the first few hours after falling asleep. It can last from a few seconds to over half an hour. Sleepwalking affects about 4% of adults and up to 17% of children, and sometimes runs in families, suggesting a genetic link.

Why does it happen? Sleepwalking can be triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, fever, medications, or underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnea. It’s important to note that most sleepwalkers are harmless, but some may unintentionally put themselves in danger—tripping down stairs or leaving the house.

Sleep Talking: Saying Things Without Knowing (Word Count: 270)

Sleep talking, also known as somniloquy, is another curious behavior that can happen at any stage of sleep. Unlike sleepwalking, it’s generally harmless and often goes unnoticed unless someone else is nearby to hear it. People who talk in their sleep might mumble nonsensical words, carry on entire conversations, or even shout.

What makes sleep talking so fascinating is that the content is usually random and disconnected from reality, though occasionally, some speech might relate to dreams. It affects about 50% of children and 5% of adults, often running in families.

Stress, fever, sleep deprivation, and certain medications can increase the likelihood of sleep talking. Interestingly, people with other sleep disorders like REM behavior disorder or night terrors tend to talk in their sleep more frequently.

Sleep Eating: Snacking While Unaware

Sleep eating, or nocturnal eating syndrome, is a surprisingly strange and sometimes risky behavior where people get up at night to eat—often without any memory of it the next day. Unlike normal nighttime snacking, sleep eaters are fully unconscious and unaware of their actions.

This condition can involve eating unusual or non-food items, overeating, or binge eating in the middle of the night. It’s more common in people who suffer from:

• Sleepwalking or other parasomnias
• Sleep deprivation or irregular sleep schedules
• Stress or anxiety
• Certain medications that affect the nervous system

Sleep eating is often linked to underlying issues such as sleep disorders, mood disorders, or metabolic conditions. The lack of awareness during these episodes means people might consume unsafe items, leading to choking hazards, weight gain, or gastrointestinal issues.

Sleep Driving: Operating a Vehicle Unconsciously

Sleep driving is one of the rarest and most alarming parasomnias, where a person gets behind the wheel and drives while still asleep. Like sleepwalking, the individual has no conscious awareness of their actions and typically has no memory afterward.

Although extremely rare, documented cases of sleep driving have raised serious safety concerns. This behavior often occurs in people with a history of other sleep disorders, such as:

• Sleepwalking or night terrors
• Narcolepsy
• Use of sedative medications or sleep aids
• Sleep deprivation or extreme stress

Sleep driving is incredibly dangerous due to the high risk of accidents. Because the driver is unconscious, their reaction time, judgment, and motor skills are severely impaired.

If someone suspects sleep driving, it is crucial to seek immediate medical advice. Strategies to prevent sleep driving include:

• Avoiding alcohol or sedatives before bed
• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Using safety measures like locking car keys away at night
• Consulting a sleep specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment

Sleep Texting: Sending Messages Unconsciously

Sleep texting is a modern and surprising addition to the list of weird sleep behaviors. This phenomenon involves people typing and sending text messages or emails while still asleep, often with bizarre or nonsensical content.

Unlike normal texting, sleep texting happens without any conscious control or memory. It’s closely linked to:

• Sleepwalking or other parasomnias
• Excessive smartphone use before bed
• Stress and anxiety
• Sleep deprivation

Since smartphones are often kept close at night, they provide easy access during unconscious episodes. Sleep texting can lead to embarrassing or confusing messages, sometimes damaging relationships or reputations.

To reduce the risk of sleep texting:

• Set your phone to “Do Not Disturb” mode overnight
• Keep your phone out of reach from your bed
• Establish a relaxing pre-sleep routine without screens
• Address underlying sleep disorders with professional help if needed

Conclusion

Sleep is a fascinating and complex state where the brain can engage in some truly unusual behaviors. From walking and talking to eating, driving, or even texting—all while completely unaware—these weird sleep activities highlight how mysterious our unconscious mind can be.

To recap:

• Sleepwalking involves moving around while asleep, often without memory.
• Sleep talking can range from simple mumbling to full conversations.
• Sleep eating happens when people snack unconsciously during the night.
• Sleep driving is a rare but dangerous behavior requiring urgent attention.
• Sleep texting is a new-age oddity linked to smartphones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weird Things People Do While Asleep

Is sleepwalking dangerous?
Sleepwalking can be risky if the sleeper leaves the house, uses stairs, or interacts with dangerous objects. Creating a safe environment and consulting a doctor is important if episodes are frequent.

Can sleep talking be treated?
Sleep talking is usually harmless and often doesn’t require treatment. However, managing stress, improving sleep hygiene, and addressing any underlying sleep disorders can reduce episodes.

What causes sleep eating?
Sleep eating may result from stress, sleep deprivation, medications, or other sleep disorders. It often requires professional evaluation to rule out underlying medical or psychological conditions.

How common is sleep driving?
Sleep driving is very rare but serious. It often occurs in people with other parasomnias or those taking sedative medications. Immediate medical advice is crucial if suspected.

How can I prevent sleep texting?
To minimize sleep texting:

• Use “Do Not Disturb” mode at night
• Keep your phone away from your bed
• Avoid screen time before sleeping
• Address any sleep issues with a specialist