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The Secret Language of Sleep: What Your Drooling Brain Is Really Telling You
Sleep often feels mysterious. We close our eyes, drift off, and surrender control for hours. Yet during that time, the body remains busy — repairing tissue, organizing memories, balancing hormones, and cycling through carefully timed sleep stages.
Then we wake up and notice something unexpected: drool on the pillow.
Let’s look at what’s really happening.
Why We Drool While Sleeping
Saliva supports digestion and protects the mouth. During the day, we swallow automatically and frequently. Our jaw and throat muscles stay active enough to manage saliva without thinking about it.
When we fall asleep:
- Muscle tone decreases
- Swallowing slows
- The jaw may open
- Gravity affects saliva flow
If your mouth opens — especially while lying on your side — saliva can pool and drip out. This isn’t unusual. It’s simply the result of relaxation.
The Role of Sleep Stages
Sleep cycles move through light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. Drooling is more likely during deeper stages because:
- Muscles are more relaxed
- Swallowing reflex slows further
- Jaw control decreases
In that sense, drooling may indicate that you reached restorative sleep. However, it’s not a precise measure of sleep quality.
Common Causes of Night Drooling
1. Sleep Position
Side sleeping makes drooling more likely because gravity allows saliva to escape.
2. Nasal Congestion
If your nose is blocked due to allergies or illness, mouth breathing increases. Mouth breathing can lead to drooling.
3. Deep Relaxation
4. Acid Reflux
Sometimes the body produces extra saliva to neutralize stomach acid during the night.
Most of the time, drooling is harmless and temporary.
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