It may seem impossible that a person could get up, walk to the kitchen, and consume food with no memory of the event, but this phenomenon is a medically recognized sleep disorder. This behavior is classified as a parasomnia, referring to abnormal experiences that occur during sleep or the transition to wakefulness. This unconscious eating is more common than many realize and can have serious consequences for health and safety. The condition involves a partial arousal from sleep, allowing for complex actions like preparing food without full consciousness or control.
What Defines Sleep-Related Eating
The clinical description for this behavior is Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED), a type of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnia. It is characterized by repeated, out-of-control episodes of eating and drinking that typically occur after an arousal from the main sleep period. The person has impaired consciousness during the episode and experiences partial or complete amnesia for the event upon waking up. These episodes usually happen in the first half of the night, during the deepest stage of NREM sleep, which is the same stage associated with sleepwalking.
A distinguishing feature of SRED is the compulsive nature of the eating, often involving high-calorie, sugary, and high-fat foods, even if the person is not hungry. Individuals may eat quickly and sloppily, sometimes combining items in strange ways they would never consume while awake. The key difference from simple night snacking is the impaired consciousness; the person cannot be easily awakened or redirected, and may consume inedible or toxic substances.
Factors That Lead to Sleep Eating
The occurrence of SRED is often linked to the use of specific prescription medications, which can induce the behavior as a side effect. Sedative-hypnotics, particularly certain non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists used to treat insomnia, are strongly associated with triggering these nocturnal episodes. These drugs can cause a person to wake up enough to perform complex actions like walking and eating, but without forming conscious memories.
The condition is frequently associated with other pre-existing sleep disturbances and disorders, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and traditional sleepwalking. Treating these underlying sleep disorders can sometimes resolve the eating episodes, suggesting that fragmented or disrupted sleep contributes to the partial arousal state necessary for SRED.
Psychological factors and daytime habits also play a role in increasing the risk of sleep eating. High levels of stress and anxiety can be triggers, as can a history of daytime eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia. Individuals who engage in strict dieting during the day may be more susceptible to SRED, as the body’s suppressed appetite may manifest as involuntary eating at night.
Health and Safety Concerns
The lack of control and awareness during SRED episodes presents distinct and serious health and safety risks. Individuals are at risk of physical injury, including cuts from handling knives and utensils or burns from carelessly operating the stove or oven. In extreme cases, a person may accidentally start a fire while attempting to cook.
A significant danger is the potential for ingesting non-food or toxic items, such as spoiled food, cleaning products, or raw substances, which can lead to poisoning or severe gastrointestinal issues. Beyond acute risks, the frequent consumption of high-calorie foods leads to substantial unwanted weight gain, which can progress to obesity and worsen conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol. The sleep disruption itself contributes to daytime fatigue, and the shame and guilt upon discovering the evidence of nocturnal eating can cause significant psychological distress.
How Sleep Eating is Managed
Managing SRED begins with a comprehensive evaluation, typically involving a sleep specialist who reviews the patient’s full medical and sleep history. In many cases, a formal overnight sleep study, known as polysomnography, is performed to monitor brain activity, limb movements, and breathing patterns during sleep. This study helps rule out other underlying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or RLS, that could be contributing to the episodes.
Treatment often starts with environmental safety measures to protect the individual from harm during an episode. This can involve locking the kitchen, securing cabinets, or placing alarms on bedroom doors to alert others. If the SRED is linked to a medication, the doctor will adjust the dose or switch the patient to an alternative drug, as stopping the causative medication can often resolve the behavior entirely.
Specific medications, such as certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or anticonvulsants, have been used to treat SRED when the cause is not related to a hypnotic drug. For cases where a co-morbid sleep disorder is identified, the treatment focuses on managing that condition, such as using dopamine agonists for RLS-related SRED. Behavioral therapies and stress reduction techniques are also recommended to promote better overall sleep hygiene and minimize triggers.