# Does anyone have "Exploding Head Syndrome"?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 16, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411 "2004-04-16T19:16:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/1 "2004-04-16T19:16:43Z")
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"](http://www.freep.com/news/health/good24_20001024.htm), 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.
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/2 "2004-04-16T20:28:04Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/3 "2004-04-16T20:37:31Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/4 "2004-04-16T21:07:45Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/5 "2004-04-16T23:58:33Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/6 "2004-04-17T00:03:13Z")
Aha!
[Auditory Sleep Start](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22auditory+sleep+start%22)
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### Author:  [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/7 "2004-04-17T00:14:01Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/8 "2004-04-17T00:29:26Z")
> [@Mangetout](#):
>
> 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.
Removing the tin foil hat before going to bed reduces those lightning strike occurrences.
😃
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### Author:  [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/9 "2004-04-17T02:09:41Z")
Exploding heads brings back [memories and dreams like this](http://www.fast-rewind.com/scanners.htm).
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### Author:  [@Cyrano9839](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyrano9839)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/10 "2004-04-17T02:17:51Z")
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. 😉
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### Author:  [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/11 "2004-04-17T03:15:47Z")
This happens to me occassionally. There’s actually a proper name for it, in addition to “auditory sleep start”.
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### Author:  [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/12 "2004-04-17T03:45:19Z")
[Hypnagogic hallucinations.](http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-80412665)
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### Author:  [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/13 "2004-04-17T03:58:22Z")
Duuuuuuuuude! It’s too much knowledge, man. I warned you, but nooooo. 🆒
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### Author:  [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/14 "2004-04-17T04:13:41Z")
I have motor and auditory sleep starts. It really freaks me out, but I know it’s nothing. It’s actually kind of cool.
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### Author:  [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/15 "2004-04-17T05:45:04Z")
> [@syncrolecyne](#):
>
> 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”)
Psh. No, it’s called “Vertical Gravitational Acceleration Syndrome.” Obviously. 😉
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### Author:  [@Silver\_Serpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Serpentine)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2004, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-exploding-head-syndrome/240411/16 "2004-04-17T09:47:58Z")
Coooooool. I have Exploding Head Syndrome. That’s such a neat name. 🆒
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.