Wake Me Up Before You Go

There are times when you end up sleeping like a log, whereas there will be times when you will want to sleep but still won’t be able to. There will also be occasions when your peaceful sleep will be plagued by dreams (hopefully good ones). However, we are still missing out on more things you could do while sleeping. What if you went to sleep one day and dreamt about driving a Tesla? What if instead of dreaming, you were driving one, but were just asleep? Weird, right? However, not uncommon. 

Sleepwalking is a curious condition where your body moves while your mind remains in a dreamlike state. It’s as if your brain’s autopilot takes over, leading you to perform complex tasks like walking, talking, or even driving, all without waking up. The majority of the sleepwalkers may not even have the slightest hint or memory of what they might have done the previous night, because their consciousness is altered to a state that is generally difficult to recall. The duration of such a state ranges from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. 

Sleepwalking has been recognized since ancient times, with early references by Hippocrates around 400 BCE and Aristotle in "Parva Naturalia”. Despite these early mentions, it wasn't until the 19th century that sleepwalking was systematically studied. Baron Karl Ludwig von Reichenbach, a German chemist and parapsychologist, conducted notable research on the condition and used his findings to develop his theory of the Odic force.

Although often depicted in popular culture as walking with eyes closed and arms outstretched, sleepwalkers have their eyes open, typically displaying a glassy stare or blank expression, with dilated pupils. Upon waking, they are frequently disoriented and confused, unsure of how or why they left their bed, but this disorientation usually subsides within minutes. Sleepwalkers may speak while moving, though their speech often seems nonsensical to those listening. The memory of the event can vary widely, from complete amnesia to vague recollections or even a detailed account.

Even though the cause of sleepwalking is still unknown, however, some studies suggest that sleepwalking might occur due to delayed development of the central nervous system, increased slow-wave sleep, sleep deprivation, fever, and sometimes even excessive tiredness. Researchers have also found that it can also be hereditary.

In conclusion, sleepwalking is a fascinating and puzzling part of our sleep world. The fact that sleepwalkers can perform complex actions without any memory of them shows just how mysterious our minds can be when we’re asleep. So next time you find yourself stumbling out of bed, just remember, you might be on a sleepwalking adventure without even knowing it!