3 ARTICLES EXPLORING “EXPLODING HEAD SYNDROME”

ARTICLE #1

TITLE

Exploding Head Syndrome

DESCRIPTION

The American Sleep Association describes Exploding Head Syndrome as “Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a disorder characterized by the perception of loud noises (e.g. a bomb explosion, gunshot or cymbal crash) when going to sleep or awakening. Contrary to the name, ENS is not associated with pain.”  Thus far there has been little research on the prevalence or treatment of the condition.   The next two articles provide more in-depth description of this condition.

SOURCE

American Sleep Association

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.sleepassociation.org/patients-general-public/exploding-head-syndrome/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/nkfw83s

ARTICLE #2

TITLE

“Exploding head syndrome” is real, and surprisingly common

DESCRIPTION

This segment (includes a brief video) from CBS News and discusses research into Exploding Head Syndrome which is described above and in Article #1.  The researcher (Brian Sharpless) “theorizes that the noise some people hear in their heads stems from a momentary neural hiccup as the brain transitions into sleep mode. He compares it to a computer shutting down, with the brain’s motor, auditory and visual neurons turning off in stages. Once in a while, instead of shutting down properly, the auditory neurons fire all at once.”  In his survey, he found that about 18% of respondents (about one in five college students in the survey) reported experiencing the syndrome and often also experience episodes of the condition of isolated sleep paralysis.

SOURCE

CBS News, March 31, 2015, by Paula Cohen (includes video)

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/exploding-head-syndrome-is-real-and-surprisingly-common/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/y835k9ek

ARTICLE #3

TITLE

What It’s Like to Have Exploding Head Syndrome

DESCRIPTION

This article from Time also includes a brief video and describes Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS) in greater detail.  It is hypothesized that the problem may be related to the way the neural process enters the sleep cycle.  Individuals experiencing EHS wake suddenly to what they believe is a loud bang, sounds of fire works or gun shots.  There is no external sound.  It is all produced by the brain’s neural activity, and to date there is no complete explanation.  While the researchers point to the neural activity explanation, some conspiracy theorists believe that malevolent causes are at play (government, aliens, whatever).   The researchers believe that those who experience the syndrome should follow the rules of good sleep hygiene as a means to circumvent the problem.

SOURCE

Time, July 24, 2017, by Kate Samuelson (includes video)

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4839530/exploding-head-syndrome/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/y9bueudk

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is Exploding Head Syndrome?  How is it experienced?

•According to the articles, what is the prevalence and demographics of those who experience EHS?

•What is hypothesized to be the cause of EHS?

•Though no treatments are available, what are the recommendations for those who experience EHS?