7 Reasons Why Sleep Talking Is Common Among Teenagers

By Vanshika Gaur
27 Mar 2025, 18:00 IST

Sleep talking (somniloquy) occurs during sleep when a person talks while dreaming. It mostly affects teenagers and about 5% of adults. Here are a few causes that can trigger sleep talking. Tap to read!

Sleep Deprivation

One of the main reasons for sleep talking is sleep deprivation, where lack of sleep makes the brain more active during light sleep stages, leading to sleep talking.

Alcohol Consumption

Consuming alcohol disrupts the sleep cycle and brain’s rhythm, increasing the likelihood of sleep talking.

Fever

Fever increases the chances of sleep talking in children as the elevated temperature of the body affects brain function and disrupts sleep.

Stress

High cortisol levels increase stress and anxiety, disrupting sleep cycle and triggering the brain, leading to sleep talking.

Genetics

Sometimes sleep talking can be hereditary. If someone in the family sleep talks, it's possible that you may have inherited the genes, hence experiencing sleep talking.

Caffeine

Caffeine consumed before sleeping can stimulate the nervous system and can cause restlessness, leading to sleep talking.

Medications

People taking certain medications, such as those for anxiety and depression, might also experience sleep talking.

Information Credits

According to ResearchGate, sleep talking is more common in children than adults and is mostly caused by sleep deprivation and stress. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalised suggestions.