'Exploding Head Syndrome': Mysterious Sleep Disorder Harmless, Yet Frightening

A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University explores what's known as "exploding head syndrome."

"It's a provocative and understudied phenomenon," said Brian Sharpless, a WSU assistant professor and director of the university psychology clinic, who recently reviewed the scientific literature on the disorder, via a press release. "I've worked with some individuals who have it seven times a night, so it can lead to bad clinical consequences as well."

These typically harmless yet frightening episodes can result in people abruptly waking up due to what they perceive as loud noises.

"Some people start to become anxious when they go into their bedroom or when they try to go to sleep," Sharpless added, via the release. "Daytime sleepiness can be another problem for people."

Symptoms vary from patient to patient, with some experiencing an explosion in one ear or even in their head.

Background information from the study ntoes that the term "exploding head syndrome" actually dates as far back as 1876 in which two men who experienced the health issue. 

However, electroencephalogram has only successfully caught these disruptions in relaxed states of drowsiness.

As with many sleep phenomena, it still remains relatively unknown.

"In layman's terms, our best guess is that it occurs when the body doesn't shut down for sleep in the correct sequence," Sharpless said, via the release. "Instead of shutting down, certain groups of neurons actually get activated and have us perceive the bursts of noise. Behavioral and psychological factors come into play as well, and if you have normally disrupted sleep, the episodes will be more likely to occur."

Though limited medical treatments are available, one possible intervention may involve simply reassuring the patient that he ir she is in no danger. 

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews.