Sneezing is a totally normal, common bodily response—especially during certain times of year (think spring allergies and cold and flu season). But what about in your sleep? Do you sneeze in your sleep? Or can you sleep in your sleep, even?
Let’s take a deep dive into sleep and sneezing.
What causes sneezing?
Before we jump into answering the question of whether people sneeze in their sleep, let’s touch on what, exactly, causes sneezing to begin with.
“Sneezing happens when something irritates the lining of your nose—like dust, pollen, pet dander, or even a sudden change in temperature,” says Shelby Harris, PsyD, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis. “It’s your body’s way of clearing out whatever doesn’t belong.”
So, essentially, when your nose is introduced to something that irritates it, your body—in an effort to get rid of the irritant—responds with a sneeze.
One thing that’s worth noting? Sneezing isn’t a conscious reaction. You can’s just say, “Hmm…my nose feels irritated and itchy!” and then force yourself to sneeze; it just happens.
“A sneeze is triggered by the trigeminal nerve, which connects your face and brain, making it a reflex you can’t really control,” explains Harris.
Can you sneeze in your sleep?
OK, now that you know what causes sneezing, let’s jump into the big question: Do people sneeze in their sleep? The answer: “You actually can’t sneeze while you’re fully asleep,” says Harris.
That’s because “during deep sleep stages, your body suppresses most reflexes, including sneezing,” says Harris. “Even if something irritates your nose, your brain doesn’t process it the same way.”
Essentially, when your body is in REM or deep sleep, the reflex that causes you to sneeze is also at rest—so you won’t have the sneeze reaction in the same way you would when you’re awake.
So, do you sneeze in your sleep? No—at least not in deeper sleep stages. But that doesn’t mean you’re immune from sneezing from the time you go to sleep to when you wake up.
If you’re in the “light sleep” stage (and have yet to fall into deeper sleep) or if your body is coming out of deep sleep and starting to wake up, you may be prone to sneezing. “If the irritation is strong enough, though, it might wake you up—and then you’d sneeze,” adds Harris.
What’s also interesting to note is that it’s not just sneezing that’s suppressed while you’re sleeping. “A lot of reflexes and automatic functions slow down while you sleep,” says Harris. These include:
- Coughing
- Temperature regulation
- Hunger/thirst
- Urination
- Defecation
“This helps you stay asleep, but it also means you’re more vulnerable to things like overheating or congestion,” says Harris.
Can children sneeze in their sleep?
It’s pretty clear that adults don’t sneeze while in the deeper stages of sleep. But what about children?
“Just like adults, kids don’t usually sneeze in their sleep,” says Harris. “Their bodies suppress the sneeze reflex in deeper sleep stages, just like ours do.”
However, it’s important to note: “If they have a stuffy nose or allergies, they might wake up and sneeze more frequently than adults because their sleep cycles are shorter and lighter,” says Harris.
FAQs
Why do I sneeze when I lie in bed?
Many people are more prone to sneezing when they lie down—and there’s a reason for that. “Lying down can shift mucus or irritants in your nasal passages, making your nose more sensitive,” says Harris. “If you’re dealing with allergies, a cold, or dry air, this can make sneezing more likely. Plus, allergens in pillows or bedding can contribute—so if you’re sneezing a lot at bedtime, your sleeping environment might be the culprit.”
Do you go unconscious when you sneeze?
No, you don’t go unconscious when you sneeze.
Can allergies cause sneezing in sleep?
Allergies can’t make you sneeze in the deeper stages of sleep. That said, “Allergies can definitely make you wake up sneezing,” says Harris. “If allergens like dust mites, pet dander, or mold build up in your bedroom, they can irritate your nasal passages enough to disrupt your sleep cycle.”
Is coughing keeping you up at night? Next, learn how to deal with a nighttime cough.
