Thinking Too Hard Won't Make Your Head Explode

Posting Date: 08/05/1999

Original broadcast date: June 29, 1999

There?s an urban rumor known as the exploding head syndrome. This started before the Internet rumors and it involves a story about how a chess player concentrated so hard his head exploded.

Boy, would that be messy if it was true. I think the rumor was spread by people who don?t want us to think too much.

Anyway, there is a real syndrome that can occur when you?re sleeping. It's a sensation of a violent explosion in your head. It?s described as a noise deep in the back of the head, according to a report in The Lancet.

There?s no pain, and this ailment often is reported by middle-aged or older women. One woman describes it as a thunderclap; another like a bomb going off in your head.

Researchers say they?ve looked into some of these cases and found nothing after doing a physical exam, CT scan and blood tests.

Apparently, it?s a frightening but harmless phenomenon - so you don't have to worry about thinking too hard!

Source: The Lancet, July 30, 1988

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