7 Scary Facts About Sleep

Had too many horror movies that you had trouble sleeping or you’re caught up in scary imagination? When you’re about to sleep it seems that Halloween is with you because you have some phobias that you keep picturing happening to you.

Que Horror! However, there are some notably scary facts about sleep that you haven’t heard of.

While you’re sleeping, you might encounter things that are a little unnerving, such as sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, blood-feeding bedbugs, ravenous dust mite infestations, and nightmares.

However, lack of sleep can cause hypnic jerks and sleep deprivation which can lead to serious health issues.

Does a good scare appeal to you, or has your sleep been too pleasant and routine lately? So, if that’s the case, continue reading these creepy sleep facts to keep you awake at night.

Nightmare fuel for these terrifying truths that weave real-life incidents with strange sleep disorders and unvarnished truths.

7 Scary Facts About Sleeping

Even though sleep is essential for a healthy life, we hear stories that are so harrowing that it makes it difficult to get some shut-eye. We spend a third of our lives sleeping on average, which is equivalent to 25 years.

Adults require at least seven hours of sleep per night to function effectively throughout the day, according to research, but many Americans get far less.

Only 35% of adults in the United States get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. 60% of adults have had sleep problems at some point in their lives. The most common type of sleep disorder is insomnia. 

How much do you know about sleep? For something so vital in our lives, we know so little about it. Sleep is so mysterious and vital to our health that it is still being studied. Below are the scary and frighteningly relatable sleep facts.

Continue reading but, don’t blame us if you find yourself truly terrified after. 

1. Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is said to be terrifying for those who experience it, although it is not very common. During an episode, a person will either wake up or fall asleep but will be stuck in the middle of these two states for a short time. 

The main symptom is the loss of ability to move and speak while remaining fully aware of your surroundings as if your mind is awake but your body is sleeping. It can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on how long the episode lasts.

The scariest part is that many people claim to have had hallucinations while paralyzed, claiming to have seen figures, ghosts, or spirits who are trying to harm them.

The blurred line between being asleep and/or awake has been partially explained by these hallucinations, as sleep paralysis usually occurs after the last stage of the sleep cycle when dreaming occurs.

2. Hypnic Jerks

Have you experienced falling asleep fast and then suddenly you feel as if you’re falling, only to jerk awake just before hitting the ground.

A hypnic jerk is a common sensation. While science isn’t sure why hypnic jerks happen, it is known that they happen when muscles relax during the non-REM stages of sleep.

The eerie causes of falling sensations have been suggested by folklore. Some speculate that the sensation is caused by one’s spirit or soul leaving the body and then being pulled back in, or by one’s spirit or soul returning from an out-of-body experience.

According to other popular culture legends, if a person falls asleep before waking up, they will die.

Stress, anxiety, caffeine, and irregular sleep schedules have all been linked to falling sensations in more scientific research. Others believe that this reflex dates back to when our forefathers slept in trees and that it may have served a purpose in preventing actual falls.

3. Dust mites are infesting

This is a fact you may not want to hear especially because it can apply to almost anyone.

We leave traces of ourselves on our beds, such as sweat, dead skin cells, and hair, because we spend a third of our lives in bed. Dust mites eat these things, but unlike bed bugs, they don’t bite us.

However, because we shed up to 10 grams of dead skin cells per week, our mattresses and pillows can harbor a large number of microscopic dust mites. However, a well-used mattress can have anywhere from 100,000 to millions of dust mites living inside it.

Dust Mite can also be in furniture pieces, such as living room furniture and carpets, that may have a lot of skin cells on them. Gross and goosebumps! So,  wash and change your mattress regularly to lessen being feasted by dust mite.

4. Late Nights & Nightmares

If you stay up late, you might find yourself as the protagonist in your own horror story. Between the inherent unknowns of darkness and mythology of things going bump in the night, the hours between midnight and dawn have spooky overtones. 

While the witching hour is unlikely to be the culprit, studies show that night owls have twice as many nightmares as those who go to bed early.

As cortisol levels rise in the morning, some scientists believe it may influence nightmares. Stress, indigestion, medications, and certain physical/mental disorders are some of the other factors linked to nightmares.

5. Blood-Sucking Hitchhikers

The dangers of picking up hitchhikers are well-known, but what about the ones you unintentionally bring home? When you think you’re alone, they leave blood spatters, carcasses, and even feces in your bed? Biting you in the dark like vampires, leaving holes in your flesh? 

While bed bugs do not pose a serious threat, they are unpleasant to have around and can be expensive to get rid of. They’re becoming more of a problem in many parts of the United States, where they’re found in hotels, homes, and stores.

Take precautions to keep them out of your bed, such as learning how to spot them when you’re away from home and thoroughly inspecting luggage and bedding.

6. Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is a horrific phenomenon that no one fully comprehends or explains. What makes it so mysterious is that the causes of sleepwalking are unknown, but it’s usually attributed to a lack of sleep, a fever, or the use of certain medications.

Even though sleepwalking is much more common in children, it is still possible to sleepwalk as an adult.

There have been some terrifying stories about people driving long distances while sleepwalking, which is why it’s critical to wake someone up if they are. People commonly believe that waking someone who is sleepwalking is harmful, but it is harmless.

It is much more dangerous not to wake them. This is especially true in situations where people may get into their cars and endanger themselves and others.

7. Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation in our bodies can have alarming effects. It’s been said that if you can fall asleep in less than five minutes, you’re probably sleep-deprived. If you don’t get enough sleep regularly, you’ll be more prone to forgetfulness, depression, and anxiety.

Sleep deprivation has been shown to accelerate the aging of the brain by up to 3 to 5 years.

Sleep deprivation can also make our immune systems work less effectively, making us three times more likely to catch a cold.

It can, however, lead to more serious issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Isn’t it a little frightening?

Conclusion

Even though sleep is supposed to be a time for rest and rejuvenation, for others it is the most terrifying part of the day. Scary movies, spooky tales, and self-defeating sleep disorders all take advantage of our innate fear of being vulnerable while we’re asleep.

However, understanding the real causes of spooky sleep facts can help alleviate anxiety and prevent future issues.