What is Sleepwalking?

 

Have you ever wondered what your body is capable of doing while you are asleep? Sleepwalking is one of the strangest phenomena, where people can perform activities they don’t even remember. In some cases, sleepwalkers engage in such bizarre behaviour that it almost seems unbelievable. Take the case of Kenneth Parks, for example, a man who unknowingly committed murder while sleepwalking.

Sleepwalking, also called somnambulism, occurs during the deeper stages of sleep, particularly Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. During this phase, a person is not fully awake but can move, talk, and even navigate familiar spaces. But what if someone didn’t just wander around the house? What if they did something so extreme that it left both doctors and scientists baffled?

One evening in 1987, Kenneth Parks, a 23-year-old Canadian man, went to bed just like any other night. He had been under significant stress due to financial troubles, but nothing seemed particularly out of the ordinary. Yet, that night, something unthinkable happened. Parks, while still asleep, got out of bed, drove over 14 miles to his in-laws' house, entered their home, and tragically attacked them. He later turned himself into the police, unaware of what he had done until he woke up in a holding cell.

Medical experts concluded that Parks had been asleep the entire time. His actions, though incomprehensible, were the result of sleepwalking, a rare but serious condition. This case left many asking: How could someone commit such a complex act while unconscious? What exactly happens in the brain during sleepwalking?

The Science Behind Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking generally occurs in NREM Stage 3 sleep, also known as deep sleep. During this stage, the body is in its most restful state, and the brain should be disengaged from most motor functions. However, in sleepwalkers, the brain behaves differently. According to a studies, brain scans show that sleepwalkers experience a “split” in consciousness. Parts of the brain associated with movement and basic tasks are active, while the areas controlling judgment and awareness remain dormant.

In Kenneth Parks' case, scientists believe that his extreme stress may have contributed to his sleepwalking episode. Stress is a well-known trigger for sleep disorders, and people experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression often have disrupted sleep cycles. According to the Sleep Foundation stress and poor mental health significantly increase the likelihood of sleepwalking episodes.

Here is a table showing common triggers for sleepwalking:

Triggers for Sleepwalking	Effect on the Brain
High Stress/Anxiety	Increases risk of NREM sleep disruption
Sleep Deprivation	Enhances likelihood of unconscious actions
Use of Sedative Medications	Suppresses judgment, allowing movement
Alcohol Consumption	Interferes with deep sleep stages

Why Don’t Sleepwalkers Remember?

One key characteristic of sleepwalking is the lack of memory about the event. This is because sleepwalkers operate in a state of low awareness. Their actions are driven by the body’s motor system, but the conscious mind is completely switched off. In simple terms, sleepwalking is like your body running on autopilot without the involvement of higher-level thinking.

Kenneth Parks had no recollection of his actions. He drove, attacked his in-laws, and even turned himself in - all while being in a state where his brain wasn’t fully awake. Studies suggest that sleepwalking stems from a malfunction in how the brain switches between sleep stages. Typically, sleepwalkers remain in deep sleep while performing actions, with their brains disconnected from conscious awareness. According to a publication in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, this disconnection explains why sleepwalkers often have no memory of their behaviours.

How Common is Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking affects about 4% of adults and 17% of children, making it relatively rare among grown-ups. In children, it is much more common due to their developing sleep patterns and frequent transitions between sleep stages. Most kids outgrow sleepwalking by adolescence, but in some cases, it continues into adulthood. Factors like stress, sleep deprivation, and underlying health conditions can increase the likelihood of sleepwalking episodes.

A study by Stanford University found that sleepwalking episodes are more likely in adults who suffer from other sleep disorders, like insomnia or sleep apnea. About 25% of people with sleep disorders report having sleepwalking incidents at some point in their lives.

The table below summarizes some of the most common sleepwalking statistics:

Sleepwalking Stats	Prevalence
General Population (Adults)	4%
General Population (Children)	17%
People with Sleep Disorders	25%
People with High Stress Levels	Up to 30% experience episodes

The Legal Implications of Sleepwalking

Kenneth Parks' case wasn’t just a medical mystery; it also became a groundbreaking legal case. Parks was charged with murder, but his defence team argued that he was not aware of his actions due to his sleepwalking state. After extensive medical evaluations and testimonies from sleep experts, he was found not guilty. The courts accepted the defence that Parks had committed the act while unconscious, making him not criminally responsible.

This case raised ethical and legal questions about responsibility and sleep disorders. If someone commits a crime while sleepwalking, should they be held accountable? In rare cases like Parks', the courts have leaned toward viewing the individual as a victim of their sleep disorder. However, these cases are extremely rare, and most sleepwalkers are not involved in such extreme incidents.

Can Sleepwalking Be Dangerous?

While Parks' case is an extreme example, sleepwalking can be dangerous even in less dramatic situations. Some sleepwalkers accidentally harm themselves by falling, walking into objects, or engaging in hazardous activities like cooking or driving while asleep. Dr Antonio Zadra, a leading sleep expert, notes that around 15% of sleepwalkers experience injuries during an episode, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more severe accidents.

If you or someone you know sleepwalks, it is important to create a safe sleeping environment. Remove sharp objects, lock doors and windows, and avoid sleeping in bunk beds or other elevated surfaces. In severe cases, sleep medications or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)can be effective in managing sleepwalking.

Conclusion

Sleepwalking remains one of the most intriguing and poorly understood sleep disorders. The case of Kenneth Parks highlights just how far the mind can go while asleep, and it serves as a reminder of how complex our brains truly are. Even though sleepwalking is relatively rare, it can have serious consequences. Understanding the triggers and causes of this condition is essential for anyone experiencing sleep disorders. With scientific advances and ongoing research, we are slowly uncovering the mysteries behind sleepwalking. But for now, stories like Parks remind us that, when it comes to sleep, there is still much more to learn.