Do you really know? What is sexsomnia?
Aug 21, 2025
Discover the intriguing phenomenon of sexsomnia, a rare condition where individuals engage in sexual activities while asleep. Learn about the complexities and risk factors associated with this unusual form of parasomnia. The podcast delves into the lack of recollection those affected have the next day and explores the potential legal implications of such actions. You might be surprised to find out who is more prone to this condition!
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Sexsomnia Is A Sleep Disorder
- Sexsomnia is a parasomnia, meaning sexual behaviours occur while falling asleep, during sleep or on waking.
- People often have no memory of these acts the next day, like sleepwalking.
Early Case And Coined Term
- The term 'sexsomnia' was coined in June 2003 in a study by Dr Colin Shapiro.
- That article referenced a 1980s Singapore case of a married man masturbating nightly beside his wife.
Clinic Samples Inflate Rates
- Prevalence estimates vary because studies focus on sleep-clinic patients rather than the general population.
- Sharon Chung found 8% of clinic patients reported sexsomnia, but general-population rates are unknown.