A condition known as 'exploding head syndrome', characterised by the sensation of a loud explosion inside the head as one falls asleep, is surprisingly common and may explain some supernatural experiences, researchers say.
Niels Nielsen, who experiences the condition, described it as 'a sudden crescendo of noise, then a profound and jarring explosion of sound, electrical fizzing and a bright flash in my vision, like someone has lit a spotlight in front of my face.' The phenomenon, first described by physician Silas Weir Mitchell in 1876, can occur once in a lifetime or multiple times a night.
Despite its provocative name, research into the disorder has been limited. However, a study published last month by Brian Sharpless of Washington State University found that 18% of 211 students surveyed had experienced it. Sharpless noted that sleep disruption, stress and emotional tension increase the risk.
The most compelling theory suggests a hiccup in the brain's reticular formation during the transition from wake to sleep, causing a delay in shutting down certain areas. This leads to a burst of neural activity in sound-processing regions, creating the sensation of an explosion. 'We think the neurons are all firing at once,' said Sharpless.
While there is no cure, antidepressants and relaxation techniques can reduce occurrences. Sharpless added that reassurance is often helpful: 'You can help a lot just by reassuring a person that they’re not crazy or experiencing symptoms of a tumour.'
Exploding head syndrome is often linked with sleep paralysis, and Sharpless believes the two conditions could explain some apparently supernatural events, including alien abductions and encounters with demons.
