Have you ever been told that you talk when you sleep? It's more common than you may think, but it's not something you should ignore. If you're a sleep-talker or know someone who is, you've come to the right place: we have the answers to all the questions you never thought of asking!

What causes sleep-talking?

The definitive causes of sleep-talking are still relatively unclear.
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Talking during sleep has multiple possible causes, but it's typically associated with moving out of deep sleep to lighter stages of the sleep cycle. That's why sleep-talking is so common amongst children.

Sleep-talking is also associated with other sleep disturbances, including sleepwalking and teeth grinding. It can also be a genetically inherited behavior, as shown by a research study published in 2011.

Is sleep-talking bad?

According to the experts, talking during sleep is not something to worry about. Sleep-talking has virtually no negative effect on one's health or happiness. However, it can be a consequence of bad, underlying medical conditions. According to Cleveland Clinic, it is associated with mental health issues like depression and alcohol addiction. In extreme cases, sleep-talking can also cause daytime drowsiness.

Do sleep-talkers tell the truth?

‘No’ is the most common word amongst sleep-talkers.
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Many people have wondered whether sleep-talkers are inadvertently spilling the beans and letting out their deepest, inner secrets. This hypothesis was never backed by science, though, and there's no verifiable "truth" to be found in the words of a sleep-talker.

Interestingly enough, the most common word used by people who talk during sleep is the word 'no.'

Can it be "cured?"

There's no cure or even official medical protocol to treat sleep-talking, but there may be a way to reduce its intensity and/or the number of occurrences. The secret is to... sleep well!

If you want to stop talking during your sleep, you should start by improving your sleep conditions. Find a comfortable pillow, mattress, linens, and so on, follow a relaxing pre-nighttime routine, and let go of things such as caffeine and alcohol.

Is your partner sleep-talking?

Earplugs are perfect for dealing with noisy sleep-talkers.
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If your partner loves to talk during their sleep and it's getting on your nerves, there's no easy solution for it. The best thing to do is buy some earplugs or even a white-noise machine to keep you distracted. What you shouldn't do, on the other hand, is stay up and analyze every single word they say.

As we've established, there's no real meaning in the mumblings of a sleeping person, so don't try to use it as the basis for anything. Your partner will thank you for it, and so will your mental health!