Talking nonsense when confused: Is this a "mysterious performance" in the brain theater?

Audit expert: Chen Mingxin

National Level 2 Psychological Counselor, Senior Human Resources Manager

Source: AI generated image

Have you ever had this experience: you are woken up by the alarm clock in the morning, say something strange in a daze, and then suddenly wake up and feel confused about what you just said?

Don't worry, this isn't some symptom of alien possession, but a funny way our brains behave when they're confused.

So why do we talk nonsense when we are confused? What is the scientific principle behind it? Next, let's explore this topic together.

What is a state of confusion?

Source: Baidu

To understand the phenomenon of talking nonsense when we are confused, we first need to understand sleep and confusion. The human sleep cycle can be roughly divided into five stages: falling asleep, light sleep, deep sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM). In these five stages, our body and brain will experience different activity patterns.

When we are suddenly awakened from deep sleep or REM sleep, the brain is like a computer that has just started up, and the various components are still slowly warming up. At this time, our thinking will become chaotic and our speech may be incoherent, which is the so-called "confused state".

The theater of the confused brain

Imagine that there is a small theater in the brain. Usually, the actors (neurons) in this theater are well-trained and perform according to the script (thinking). But in a confused state, these actors start running around on the stage like drunks and 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 incoherent speech and unclear words occur.

Source: Baidu

There is an area in the brain called Broca's area , which is responsible for generating and understanding language. When we are awake, Broca's area can process language information normally, allowing us to express our thoughts clearly. However, when we are confused, the function of Broca's area may be disturbed, causing us to say some illogical and incomprehensible words.

It's like when you try to play a game on a lagging computer, the result will definitely be all kinds of "magic operations" emerging one after another.

The body's little trick

In addition to the brain's language processing centers, neurotransmitters and hormones may also play a role in the phenomenon of talking nonsense when confused.

Source: Baidu

For example, when we are asleep, the brain releases a hormone called melatonin to help us stay asleep. However, in the case of sudden awakening, melatonin levels may drop rapidly, causing the brain to be unable to immediately return to a wakeful state.

In addition, the balance of some neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine and dopamine) during sleep and wakefulness may also be affected, thereby affecting our ability to express language.

How to avoid talking nonsense when confused?

Source: Science Popularization China

Although it is normal to talk nonsense when confused, it can sometimes cause us some embarrassment. So, is there any way to avoid this situation?

First of all, maintaining a good sleeping habit is the 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 more awake and less likely to be confused.

Secondly, it is also important to learn how to regulate your emotions. If you find yourself in an unstable mood when you wake up, you can try relaxing activities such as deep breathing or meditation to help yourself calm down.

Source: Science Popularization China

If you find yourself often talking nonsense when you are confused and it seriously affects your daily life, it is recommended to seek help from your parents or doctors in time. They may give you some more specific suggestions and treatment plans.

Talking nonsense when you are always confused is an interesting and common phenomenon. By understanding its causes and coping methods, we can better understand our brain and body and make life more beautiful and interesting!