To put it another way, microsleep is \u201cgenerally defined as a sleep episode where the person appears to be awake but their brain is not processing information,\u201d says Jagdeep Bijwadia, MD, medical director at Complete Sleep<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMicrosleep is when your brain essentially \u2018shuts off\u2019 for a few seconds, even though you\u2019re trying to stay awake.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n – Shelby Harris, PsyD, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Microsleeps are pretty short. \u201cThese episodes generally last 15 to 30 seconds or less, often occurring after\u00a0sleep deprivation<\/a>,\u201d says Bijwadia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone who\u2019s struggling to get the sleep they need could experience microsleep episodes. But there’s certainly a higher risk for people who are chronically sleep deprived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople most at risk include\u00a0shift workers<\/a>,\u00a0new parents<\/a>, people with\u00a0sleep disorders<\/a>, and anyone regularly getting less than seven hours of sleep,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, you don\u2019t have<\/em> to be chronically sleep-deprived to experience microsleep. \u201cEven one bad night of sleep can increase your risk,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A microsleep is when you experience a temporary \u201cbrain shut-off.\u201d But what, exactly, does that look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Harris and Bijwadia, common signs of microsleep include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou might also feel like you just \u2018snapped back\u2019 into focus without realizing you lost it in the first place,\u201d adds Harris. \u201cIt\u2019s your brain\u2019s way of saying, \u2018I need rest, now.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know what microsleep is. You know the common signs and symptoms. Now the big question is: What causes microsleep?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, the biggest cause of microsleep is sleep deprivation\u2014and that can come from any source, whether that\u2019s a sleep disorder (for example, narcolepsy<\/a>) or a challenging situation that\u2019s keeping you from getting rest (like having to take care of a baby that\u2019s up all night).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhether it\u2019s from insomnia<\/a>, an untreated sleep disorder like sleep apnea<\/a>, or just burning the candle at both ends, chronic sleep deprivation makes microsleep way more likely,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dangers of microsleep are directly related to what you\u2019re doing when you experience it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen occurring in a safe environment without sensitive tasks being done, there is generally no problem and no lasting consequence,\u201d says Bijwadia. \u201cThis is very different when these episodes happen while the person is driving, operating heavy machinery, or performing high-intensity tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, let\u2019s say you experience a microsleep episode when you\u2019re driving a car<\/a>. \u201cA few seconds of unconsciousness behind the wheel can lead to a serious accident,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the potential for microsleeping at a scary time exists for everyone, the risk is higher for people who work in positions where they\u2019re engaged with high-risk situations on a daily basis\u2014like \u201cjobs that involve machinery, medical care, or any situation where a lapse in attention could have major consequences,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Microsleep can be scary. But it is<\/em> preventable and manageable\u2014if you know what to do. If you want to more effectively prevent and\/or manage microsleep, here are some tips to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMicrosleep feels like a brief \u2018blackout,\u2019\u201d says Harris. \u201cOne moment you\u2019re aware, the next you\u2019re not, and you might not even realize you drifted off. It\u2019s unsettling, and if it happens often, it\u2019s a sign your sleep health needs attention.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Microsleep is a sign you\u2019re not getting enough sleep and can be dangerous in certain situations\u2014therefore it would fall under the \u201cbad\u201d category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During microsleep episodes, your brain briefly and temporarily stops processing information\u2014so while you might look like you\u2019re awake, your brain isn\u2019t acting like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
How long does microsleep last? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who’s at risk for microsleeping?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Signs of microsleep <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Causes of microsleep <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The dangers of microsleep <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to prevent and manage microsleep <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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FAQs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What does microsleep feel like? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is microsleep good or bad? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What occurs during microsleep? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n