‘Exploding head syndrome’ appears to be more common than previously thought: Study

A new study has revealed that an unexpectedly high percentage of young people experience 'exploding head syndrome', a psychological phenomenon in which people are awakened by abrupt loud noises and sensation of an explosion in their head.

The 'exploding head syndrome' can result in sufferers hearing explosions or other loud noises as they attempt to drift off to sleep. However, all these sounds are not real rather they are auditory sleep hallucinations.

It has been found that nearly one in five of interviewed college students experienced the syndrome at least once. Some students explained that the syndrome has significantly impacted their lives.

The researchers also found that more than one-third of those who experienced the syndrome also suffer from isolated sleep paralysis, a condition in which one cannot move or speak when waking up.

It is a frightening experience which allows them to dream with their eyes wide open. These types of dreams make for convincing hallucinations and people also claim that they see demons or witches.

Both exploding head syndrome and isolated sleep paralysis have been misinterpreted as unnatural events. The disorder comes as one is falling asleep and researchers suspect it stems from problems with the brain shutting down.

Lead researcher Brian Sharpless from Washington State University said that when brain goes to sleep, its motor, auditory and visual neurons turn off in stages. But when the auditory neurons fire all at once instead of shutting down properly, it results in crazy-loud noises in the environment that can't be explained.

He added, "Unfortunately for this minority of individuals, no well-articulated or empirically supported treatments are available, and very few clinicians or researchers assess for it".