Sleep sex
Sexsomnia, also known as sleep sex, is a distinct form of parasomnia, or an abnormal activity that occurs while an individual is asleep.
Sexsomnia is characterized by an individual engaging in sexual acts while in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
Extended periods of sleep deprivation often results in the malfunctioning of neurons, directly affecting an individual's behavior.
[4][7] Certain medications, including the sedative-hypnotic zolpidem (commonly known by the brand name Ambien) frequently used to treat insomnia, have been seen to increase risk of sexsomnia as an adverse effect.
When an individual awakes during this stage, they are likely to exhibit grogginess and require up to thirty minutes to regain normal function and consciousness.
Determining factors include but are not limited to: Electroencephalograms, or EEG, are tests used to depict electrical activity and waves produced by the brain.
Through the use of electroencephalography, health professionals are able to determine if the sexual behaviors are occurring during non-REM sleep or if the individual is fully conscious.
A PSG study may identify sexsomnia, but cannot determine whether it was responsible for an individual's actions or present during the time of an alleged crime.
This could include interviews with friends, family, and significant others, as well as medical records concerning the individual's sleep previous patterns.
[12][14] Since there is not an FDA-approved medication on the market specifically designed for the treatment of sexsomnia, health professionals attempt to treat the disorder through a variety of approaches.
Among the first line of prevention for sexsomnia involves creating and maintaining a safe environment for all who are affected as a result of the disorder.
Precautionary measures include, but are not limited to, the individual in question sleeping in a separate bedroom and the installation of locks and alarms on doors.
This medication is classified as a benzodiazepine and works by acting on the GABA-A receptors present in the central nervous system (CNS).
The use of open discussion and understanding between couples decrease the negative emotional feelings and stress felt and generates a support system.
[8] Research findings for sexsomnia first appeared in 1996 publication by Colin Shapiro and Nik Trajanovic of the University of Toronto.
[4] Sexsomnia has begun to gain attention through its exposure on television, news platforms, and social media outlets.
Sexsomnia has also been featured in popular television series including House, MD, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and Desperate Housewives.
The Australasian Sleep Association has urged qualified physicians to contribute in expert testimony in such cases to ensure the individual's claims are valid and not just an attempt to be released of sexual offense charges.
[20] In 2022, a case came to light in England, where an allegation of rape in 2017 was dropped in 2020 by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) due to expert opinion that the woman involved had sexsomnia, and so the male defendant may have believed that she was consenting, and was thus formally acquitted.
Kate Ellis, joint litigation lead at the Centre for Women’s Justice, said claims brought by victims against the CPS are legally "difficult", with payouts "extremely rare".
