Why do people talk nonsense when they are confused?
Have you ever had the experience of being woken up by your alarm clock in the morning, saying something strange in a daze, and then suddenly waking up and feeling confused about what you just said? Don’t worry, this is not a symptom of alien possession, but an interesting manifestation of our brain’s confused state.
Why do we talk nonsense when we are confused? What scientific principles are hidden behind this?
What is confusion
To understand the phenomenon of gibbering while confused, we first need to understand sleep and trance. The human sleep cycle can be roughly divided into five stages: falling asleep, light sleep, deep sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM). During these five stages, our bodies and brains experience different patterns of activity.
When we are suddenly awakened from deep sleep or REM sleep, the brain is like a computer that has just been started, and various parts are still slowly warming up. At this time, our thinking will become confused and unclear, and our speech may be confused. This is the so-called “confused state”.
Imagine that there is a small theater in the brain. The actors (neurons) in this theater are usually well-trained and perform according to the script (thinking). But in a state of confusion, these actors began to run around on the stage as if they were drunk, saying some incomprehensible lines.
In fact, this is because when the brain is confused, the area responsible for language processing is not fully “online”, so there will be incoherent speech and incomprehensible words.
There is an area of the brain called Broca’s area that is responsible for generating and understanding language. In the awake state, Broca’s area can process language information normally, allowing us to express our thoughts clearly. However, in a confused state, the function of Broca’s area may be disrupted, causing us to speak illogical and difficult-to-understand words.
Just like if you try to play games on a stuck computer, the result will definitely be an endless stream of “magic operations”.
body’s little tricks
In addition to the brain’s language processing centers, neurotransmitters and hormones may also play a role in the phenomenon of gibberish while confused.
For example, when we are asleep, the brain releases a hormone called melatonin to help us stay asleep. However, in the event of sudden arousal, melatonin levels may drop rapidly, preventing the brain from immediately returning to its waking state.
In addition, the balance of some neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine and dopamine) during sleep and wakefulness may also be affected, affecting our ability to express language.
How to avoid talking nonsense when confused
Although it is normal to talk nonsense when confused, sometimes it does cause us some embarrassment. So, is there any way to avoid this?
First, maintaining good sleep habits is key. Ensure adequate sleep time so that the brain has enough time to “clean up the memory” and “update the system.” In this way, when you wake up the next day, your brain will be clearer and less prone to confusion.
Secondly, it is also important to learn to adjust your emotions. If you find yourself waking up emotionally unstable, try relaxing activities such as deep breathing or meditation to help calm you down.
If you find that you often talk nonsense when confused and it seriously affects your daily life, it is recommended to seek help from your parents or doctor in time. They may be able to give you some more specific advice and treatment options.
