What is Exploding Head Syndrome?
"Exploding head syndrome is a benign parasomnia characterized by the perception of a loud sound while asleep, which leads to abrupt awakening. These events occur during the wake-sleep/sleep-wake transition period and generally last less than a second. Events are often accompanied by flashes of light and patient distress, but there is no significant associated pain. The sounds have most commonly been described as explosions, gunshots, or thunder but can be almost any loud noise. The events occur with variable frequency, and there may be prolonged remission between episodes" (Khan & Slowik, 2021).
Professional literature
Ceriani, C., & Nahas, S. J. (2018). Exploding Head Syndrome: a Review. Current pain and headache reports, 22(10), 63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0717-1
Khan I, Slowik JM. Exploding Head Syndrome. [Updated 2021 Aug 9]. In: StatPearls. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560817
Sharpless, B. A., Denis, D., Perach, R., French, C. C., & Gregory, A. M. (2020). Exploding head syndrome: clinical features, theories about etiology, and prevention strategies in a large international sample. Sleep medicine, 75, 251–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.05.043
Sharpless B. A. (2014). Exploding head syndrome. Sleep medicine reviews, 18(6), 489–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2014.03.001
Pirzada A, R, Almeneessier A, S, BaHammam A, S: Exploding Head Syndrome: A Case Series of Underdiagnosed Hypnic Parasomnia. Case Rep Neurol 2020;12:348-358. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33173495 [Full Text]