Zzz-mail: When sleepwalkers log-in
Doctors have reported the first ever case of someone using the internet while asleep, after a sleeping woman sent emails to people asking them over for drinks and caviar
LONDON: Doctors have reported the first ever case of someone using the internet while asleep, after a sleeping woman sent emails to people asking them over for drinks and caviar, according to a report published in The Telegraph. It was only when a would-be guest phoned the next day to accept, that she found out what she had done.
The 44-year-old woman, whose case is reported by researchers from the University of Toledo had gone to bed at around 10pm, but got up two hours later and walked to the next room. She then turned on the computer, connected to the internet, and logged on by typing her username and password to her email account. She then composed and sent three emails., which were not well formatted and written in strange language. One read: “Come tomorrow and sort this hell hole out. Dinner and drinks, 4.pm,. Bring wine and caviar only.” Another said simply, “What the…….”
The new variation of sleepwalking has been described as “zzz-mailing”.
The neurologists say that unlike simple sleep walking, the activities their patient was involved in requires complex behaviour and coordinated movements including typing, composing and writing the messages. She was also able to remember her password and turn the computer on and connect to the internet, although she has no memory of the event. It is thought that the woman’s sleep walking may have been triggered by prescription medication, although the causes of the phenomenon are not fully understood.
Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, has been linked to tiredness, stress, anxiety, alcohol, seizures, and a number of medications, including some sedatives. Some research also suggest it runs in families.
Sleepwalking behaviour, which usually lasts a few minutes although it can persist for more than half an hour, can involve a whole range of different behaviours. Mostly it ranges from simply sitting up in bed while still apparently asleep, or getting dressed, and walking around in a daze.
However, cases of sleepwalkers driving a car, cooking, playing a musical instrument, and painting have been reported. In rare cases it can involve violence, including sexual assaults and even murder. It can include repetitive and bizarre behaviour and can be annoying and irritating for the bed partner.
The 44-year-old woman, whose case is reported by researchers from the University of Toledo had gone to bed at around 10pm, but got up two hours later and walked to the next room. She then turned on the computer, connected to the internet, and logged on by typing her username and password to her email account. She then composed and sent three emails., which were not well formatted and written in strange language. One read: “Come tomorrow and sort this hell hole out. Dinner and drinks, 4.pm,. Bring wine and caviar only.” Another said simply, “What the…….”
The new variation of sleepwalking has been described as “zzz-mailing”.
The neurologists say that unlike simple sleep walking, the activities their patient was involved in requires complex behaviour and coordinated movements including typing, composing and writing the messages. She was also able to remember her password and turn the computer on and connect to the internet, although she has no memory of the event. It is thought that the woman’s sleep walking may have been triggered by prescription medication, although the causes of the phenomenon are not fully understood.
Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, has been linked to tiredness, stress, anxiety, alcohol, seizures, and a number of medications, including some sedatives. Some research also suggest it runs in families.
Sleepwalking behaviour, which usually lasts a few minutes although it can persist for more than half an hour, can involve a whole range of different behaviours. Mostly it ranges from simply sitting up in bed while still apparently asleep, or getting dressed, and walking around in a daze.
However, cases of sleepwalkers driving a car, cooking, playing a musical instrument, and painting have been reported. In rare cases it can involve violence, including sexual assaults and even murder. It can include repetitive and bizarre behaviour and can be annoying and irritating for the bed partner.