Does anyone have "Exploding Head Syndrome"?

Factual Questions
1

About a year ago I started having what I thought was a recurring nightmare, only there was no actual “dream” involved. As I was falling asleep, I would hear a loud bang (like a gunshot) and see a bright flash of light. It would rattle me enough to keep me up for a long time. I thought perhaps I was dreaming about being shot in the head.

After searching the internet I found several articles about"Exploding Head Syndrome", and they allayed my fears. Last night, when it happened again, and I was able to shrug it off (“its only my silly head exploding again”) and fall asleep right afterward.

Is it similar to the “falling” sensation that I’m sure many people have experienced? (I am not sure what the name for that may be…“Plummeting Body Syndrome”)

I never have had this happen until I moved into my new house, where my bedroom window directly faces a street junction where vehicles turn and briefly shine light beams through my curtains at night. I suspect car headlights may trigger it because it only happens when I sleep facing the window.

2

Man, you are freaking me out. I’ve never had it, never heard of it, and hope I never get it. That would scare the shit outta me.

3

Sometimes when I am drifting slowly to sleep, I hear a loud ‘crack!’ (but no flash of light) - I’m sure it isn’t a real sound at all, but rather some neural thingumajigger.

4

Reminds me of one time many years ago, I was juuuuust falling asleep and I swear to god a comet flew through my head, or at least that’s how it felt. Loud and bright, I think thats sort of what your describing. I too was very shaken for quite a while after, it truly scared the crap out of me.

5

We should form a support group. I didn’t know it had a name or that anyone else got it. I’l hear a snapping sound that is a cross between a cracking whip and a firecracker. Rare though and sometimes I’ll just be nodding off and just jerk my head but hear no sound.

6

Aha!

Auditory Sleep Start

7

At least one time, as I was falling asleep I heard an extremely loud sound that was like a phonograph needle being dragged across a vinyl album.

8

Removing the tin foil hat before going to bed reduces those lightning strike occurrences.
:smiley:

9

Exploding heads brings back memories and dreams like this.

10

I used to hear loud noises while trying to fall asleep, but I made my wife stop eating chili before bedtime and the problem went away. :wink:

11

This happens to me occassionally. There’s actually a proper name for it, in addition to “auditory sleep start”.

12

Hypnagogic hallucinations.

13

Duuuuuuuuude! It’s too much knowledge, man. I warned you, but nooooo. :cool:

14

I have motor and auditory sleep starts. It really freaks me out, but I know it’s nothing. It’s actually kind of cool.

15

Psh. No, it’s called “Vertical Gravitational Acceleration Syndrome.” Obviously. :wink:

16

Coooooool. I have Exploding Head Syndrome. That’s such a neat name. :cool:

What happens to me is, I’ll be sleeping and hear a loud noise and wake up thinking someone’s trying to break into my apt. I freak out and listen for a few minutes until my heart rate returns to normal. This happen to me about once every month or two, sometimes more if I’m stressed out.