Wet Dreams and Sexsomnia

Naughty at Night

Sleep is supposed to be a time of rest and recovery, but sometimes, the body has other plans. From unexpected nighttime emissions to full-on sleep-induced sexual behaviors, the human body is capable of some pretty strange sleep activities. Some of my favorite sex confessions are born out of the naughty dreams you have no seemingly control over. I’m sure many of you have experienced Wet dreams, also known as nocturnal emissions. These are a completely normal part of puberty and can even continue into adulthood. Meanwhile, sexsomnia—a lesser-known but fascinating sleep disorder—causes individuals to engage in sexual behaviors while still asleep, often without any memory of it in the morning. Can’t get me out of your head at night? Then you may be experiencing one of these sex-crazed phenomena 

Wet Dreams Are Normal

Wet dreams are often triggered by hormonal changes, sexy dreams, or even just a little accidental friction from your blankets. The good news? Wet dreams are nothing to stress about, and they don’t mean anything is wrong with you. In fact, they’re just your body’s way of handling business while you snooze. Though wet dreams tend to become less frequent with age, they can still occur in adulthood, especially during periods of sexual inactivity. I’ve even had a few wet dreams recently! I recently detailed an otherworldly dream sequence that had me feeling wet and wild in the midst of a midnight nap.

Sexsomnia, Next Level Wet Dreams

While wet dreams are a natural part of puberty and adulthood, another unusual nighttime occurrence is sexsomnia. Sexsomnia is a rare sleep disorder where individuals engage in sexual behaviors while still asleep. Similar to other parasomnias such as sleepwalking and sleep talking, sexsomnia occurs during the deepest stage of sleep when the brain is not actively dreaming. Far more intense than wet dreams, people experiencing sexsomnia may unknowingly engage in actions such as masturbation, pelvic thrusting, fondling, or even initiating intercourse. Despite their eyes sometimes being open or making noises, they remain unaware of their actions and typically have no memory of the event upon waking. Because of this, many individuals only learn about their condition through a partner or roommate. 

Dr. Carlos Schenck, a leading expert on parasomnias, says these disorders of arousal happen when the central nervous system is abruptly triggered. This causes the body to become active while the mind remains deeply asleep. It explains why individuals experiencing sexsomnia can engage in complex sexual behaviors without awareness or recollection. Unlike wet dreams, which are tied to hormonal changes and sexual arousal during REM sleep, sexsomnia is not connected to erotic dreams. It is connected to an abnormal activation of motor functions during deep sleep. This can make the disorder particularly concerning, as individuals may unknowingly engage in sexual acts that they would never consciously initiate. 

Sexy Sleeping Time

Sleep should be peaceful, but let’s be honest—our bodies take control when the lights go out. Whether you experience an unexpected wet dream or an unintentional sexsomnia episode, the bedroom can turn into a surprise party that nobody planned. The good news? Wet dreams simply allow your body to hit the “release valve.” Sexsomnia is a recognized sleep disorder that you can manage with the right help. So, if you wake up to a mystery mess, just remember—it’s all part of being human. And if you find out from a very confused roommate that you’ve been getting frisky in your sleep, well… maybe it’s time for a chat with a sleep specialist. 

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