Sleep walking (otherwise known as somnambulism) can make life very difficult.  The danger of walking or doing other activities whilst still asleep is that you don't have conscious control. Accidents whilst sleep walking are common.    Hypnosis is a common treatment method for sleepwalking as the state of sleepwalking and hypnosis resemble each other almost to the letter. The rapid eye movement state is tapped into while still being conscious and awake and suggestions given to cease the walking.

Sleepwalking and REM

Sleepwalking occurs during the REM or rapid eye movement part of sleep or dream sleep. Usually the brain body releases a chemical that paralyzes the body. However, those who sleepwalk do not have this chemical trigger, hence the sleep walking.  Although it's a myth that sleep walkers shouldn't be awakened it can be hard to rouse the sleepwalker during an episode and afterwards the sleepwalker may have no recollection of the episode.

Dangers of sleep walking

People have been known to boil kettles or even attempt to drive cars whilst sleep walking it is not surprising for sleepwalkers to seek medical assistance and advice.

Reasons for sleepwalking

Children tend to grow out of sleep walking-the cause may be anxiety or not having had enough sleep. Sleepwalking doesn't necessarily indicate psychological problems.

Adult sleep walking may be related to alcohol abuse, brain seizures or as a reaction to certain drugs and medications. So it's important to get medical advice if you or someone you know sleep walks.

Hypnosis and sleep walking

Hypnosis and sleep walking are actually connected. Hypnosis is a way of accessing the REM or rapid eye movement state when you are still awake. You are more suggestible during this REM state which is why hypnosis is used to cure all kinds of conditions.

Because sleep walking occurs in the REM state then suggestions given in controlled REM, otherwise known as 'hypnosis' can help the uncontrolled sleep walking REM state.