Yes, you read that right — some people can actually climax in their sleep. This phenomenon is known as a sleepgasm, or in medical terms, a nocturnal orgasm, and it’s way more common than you might think.
While many people need focused effort (and sometimes a little cooperation from their partner) to reach orgasm, others experience this pleasure entirely unconsciously — often without even having a sexy dream.
So, what exactly is a sleepgasm?
According to women’s health expert Dr. Hana Patel, a sleepgasm is a perfectly healthy part of sexual function. Speaking to Metro, she explained that they’re often linked to erotic dreams or subconscious arousal.
Singer-turned-podcaster Diana Vickers says she orgasms in her sleep (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Sleepgasms usually happen during REM sleep — the phase where your brain activity is high, your eyes dart around under your eyelids, and vivid dreams occur. During this stage, the parts of the brain tied to emotion, memory, and arousal are especially active.
Why do they happen?
Dr. Patel explains that while you sleep, several things can trigger a nocturnal orgasm:
- Increased blood flow to the genitals
- Pelvic muscle contractions without conscious control
- Hormonal shifts during the night
- Body positioning that stimulates nerve endings
Some people have reportedly have nocturnal orgasms (Getty Stock Image)
Interestingly, your brain doesn’t always need a racy dream to make it happen. People often wake up mid-orgasm without remembering any sexual dream at all.
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The body’s built-in safety system
One fascinating part? Even though your body is physically responding, you’re mostly paralysed during REM sleep. This natural mechanism stops you from acting out your dreams — so no worries about doing something embarrassing mid-dream.
Who gets them?
While both men and women can experience sleepgasms, women tend to report them less often — possibly due to the much-discussed orgasm gap. In heterosexual encounters, only 50–70% of women orgasm compared to 95% of men, according to Psychology Today. But in sleep, the playing field is a bit more level.
Singer-turned-podcaster Diana Vickers (known from The X Factor UK) recently shared on the Just Between Us podcast that her sleepgasms are intense enough to wake her up. Sometimes, she said, she doesn’t even know what caused them — they just happen.
Bottom line
Sleepgasms aren’t just normal — they’re a fascinating reminder of how powerful and unpredictable the human body can be. They can happen with or without erotic dreams, and they’re usually just your body’s way of responding to natural arousal during deep sleep.
So if you’ve ever woken up mid-orgasm, don’t panic — you’re simply experiencing a quirk of biology that’s been happening to humans for centuries.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert before making decisions based on this information.
