A rare health condition may cause some people to eat in their deep sleep.
Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is a condition that occurs during sleep and is known as a parasomnia.
Experts say people with the disease may eat and even prepare food while they sleep.
A Stanford University study found that going to bed after this time could lead to poorer mental health.
Kara Becker, M.D., a board-certified eating disorder specialist and national director of the eating disorder program at Newport Healthcare in California, told Fox News Digital that people who snack when they’re sleepy often have no memory of it the next morning.
Becker noted that people can eat while they’re asleep multiple times a night and may wake up even when they’re not hungry.
The clinical psychologist said that patients are “usually unaware” or “only dimly aware” of their sleepwalking. (iStock)
Experts say certain medications can cause SRED, as can smoking cessation, alcohol or drug use, stress, narcolepsy, and diet.
The Cleveland Clinic points out on its website that drug-induced SREDs can also occur after taking sedative-hypnotic medications to treat insomnia.
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Becker said symptoms of the disorder can include “uncontrollable” eating and drinking during sleep, eating strange food combinations and lack of appetite in the morning.
Experts also highlighted the risks of cooking and eating at night, including fire, burns and cuts.
Symptoms of the disorder include “uncontrollable” eating and drinking during sleep, eating strange food combinations and losing your appetite in the morning. (iStock)
Fox News Digital also spoke with Dr. Kelly Baron, a clinical psychologist and director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Institute at the University of Utah, about the symptoms and dangers of NREM parasomnia.
SREDs can cause dental problems and hinder weight loss goals, Baron noted.
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“In some cases, you may get injured or hit something while cooking,” she warned.
“Sometimes, people eat things other than food,” Baron says. “My colleagues and I wrote a series of case studies in which we had patients who ate dog food while they were sleeping, or ate casseroles with their hands, and made huge messes.”
Experts warned that people with SRED may “fall or bump into objects” or suffer cuts or burns during a seizure. (iStock)
Consuming large amounts of calories without mindfully eating is “not recommended for anyone and can be very disruptive to proper nutrition,” Becker added.
“Some people unknowingly ingest harmful substances at night, putting their health at immediate risk.”
So who is at risk?
According to the Cleveland Clinic website, SRED episodes are more likely to occur with lack of sleep, so conditions like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may be risk factors.
People are more likely to develop SRED if they are close relatives of someone who sleepwalks, experience daytime stress or lack of sleep, suffer from eating disorders, anxiety or depression.
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“For other people, another sleep disorder may be a trigger for sleepwalking behavior, including night-time eating, so it’s very important to get a sleep evaluation,” Baron advised.
Experts said people suffering from the condition should be examined at a sleep centre. (iStock)
For some people, sleepwalking is a genetic risk that continues from childhood into adulthood, Baron said.
Treatment options
Baron told Fox News Digital that SRED has several treatments, including reducing or eliminating triggers and addressing other sleep disorders.
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Experts said people could also practice techniques or take medication to improve their sleep habits.
Becker also suggested implementing safety measures at home, such as installing locks on kitchen cupboards and refrigerators and removing dangerous obstacles.
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She recommended that people with SRED should get “adequate sleep on a regular basis” as SRED symptoms can be exacerbated by lack of sleep.
“You may also be encouraged to participate in a sleep study so that your healthcare provider can better understand your nighttime activities,” she said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, SREDs are most common in women under the age of 20. (iStock)
Baron said SRED is separate from night-eating syndrome (NES), which can cause people to have compulsive bedtime food cravings or wake up multiple times during the night to eat before going back to bed.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, SREDs are most common in women under the age of 20, but they can occur in anyone.
Between 1% and 5% of adults experience sleep disorders.
Experts recommend consulting a health care provider if you suspect an SRED episode.
