Curious Cases cover image

Curious Cases

10. Night Walkers

Dec 14, 2024
Join consultant neurologist Professor Guy Leschziner and Professor Russell Foster from the University of Oxford as they delve into the bizarre world of sleepwalking. They share outrageous stories, like a sleepwalker on a motorbike and an artist creating masterpieces in his sleep. The duo explains the intriguing neuroscience behind sleepwalking, exploring sleep phases and triggers like booze and bed squeaks. Plus, they reveal surprising animal sleep behaviors, shedding light on consciousness across species. Prepare for a night of wonder!
28:39

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Sleepwalking occurs during non-REM sleep, allowing individuals to perform complex actions without recollection due to specific brain regions remaining inactive.
  • The podcast discusses extreme sleepwalking cases and cutting-edge research, illustrating how environmental stimuli and sleep deprivation can trigger these bizarre behaviors.

Deep dives

Understanding Sleepwalking and Its Mechanisms

Sleepwalking occurs during non-REM sleep when certain areas of the brain remain in deep sleep while others are awake. This condition can lead to complex behaviors such as walking or even driving, as demonstrated by cases of individuals who operate vehicles without any recollection of their actions. The podcast highlights that while individuals often remember their dreams from REM sleep, sleepwalking typically does not occur during this phase due to paralysis of the body. Therefore, understanding the different stages of sleep is key to comprehending why sleepwalking happens and what entails its various phenomena.

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