Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), also informally known as sleep eating, is a type of parasomnia characterized by recurrent episodes of eating during partial arousals from sleep, with little or no conscious awareness during the episodes and little or no memory of them upon waking. It is distinct from nocturnal eating syndrome, in which the person is fully awake and conscious during nighttime eating. During an episode of sleep-related eating disorder, a person typically gets out of bed and prepares and consumes food — often in large quantities, rapidly, and with unusual food combinations — while in a state that is neither fully asleep nor fully awake. Episodes occur most often during non-REM sleep and are frequently triggered by other sleep disorders, particularly restless legs syndrome. Certain medications, including some sleeping pills such as zolpidem, have been associated with SRED as a side effect. People with SRED are often unaware of their nighttime eating until they notice evidence the next morning, such as food wrappers, dirty dishes, or food missing from the refrigerator. They may also notice unexplained weight gain over time. Morning anorexia — lack of appetite in the morning — is common. Sleep-related eating disorder can have significant consequences for physical health, including weight gain, nutritional imbalances, dental problems, and the risk of injury during food preparation while impaired. The psychological impact, including distress, embarrassment, and loss of control, can also be considerable. Treatment typically involves addressing any underlying sleep disorder or medication trigger, improving sleep hygiene, and in some cases medication such as dopamine agonists, topiramate, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).