No matter which professional you choose to ask, it is unlikely they will be able to furnish you with a complete answer to the question, "Why do people talk in their sleep?" As with many things psychological, however, it is likely to be connected to stress, or events going on in an individual's life.
Scientifically known as Somniloquy, talking in your sleep is surprisingly common; affecting up to five percent of the adult population across the western world. It is more common in children, where fifty percent are likely to experience the behavior.
While arguments still exist, the common belief these days is that sleep talking occurs outside of REM, (Rapid Eye Movement), sleep. REM sleep is the time where we are most likely to have our most vivid and expressive dreams, and it was often thought that sleep talking was just another element of dreaming.
The condition is now more closely linked with paralyses that the body experiences as sleep patterns shift. Think of that feeling we often get as we are just moving into sleep, where we feel as if we are helplessly falling, and jerk ourselves back. It is here that links are now believed to be placed.
It is known already that there is a very fine balance the body plays, between moments of consciousness and subconsciousness. The brain hallucinates at these times, and creates frightening and upsetting images that we experience; our response to this can be sleep talking. This all sounds quite violent of course, but it really isn't; it just how the brain processes electrical impulses.
While essentially inexplicable a condition, it is quite a benign condition. However, there have been instances where the sleep talker has been aggressive, though these have been in cases where deeper psychological issues have been uncovered. Generally, it is just an annoyance for those sharing a bed with a sleep talker.
While we do not fully understand precisely why some people talk in their sleep, it does seem that reducing stress, and avoiding late night consumption of stimulants such as alcohol, chocolate and caffeine, can help alleviate the condition for most sufferers.
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