Why do i get so hot when i sleep: The science of night sweats and overheating
Dr. Jonathan Pierce, PhD: Clinical Psychologist & Neuroscience Specialist
Dec 05, 2025 · 15 min read
You get hot in your sleep when the normal nighttime drop in core body temperature of about 0.5 to 1.0 °C (1 to 2 °F) is disrupted, prompting the hypothalamus to open skin blood vessels and activate sweating to dump heat. The good news is that the trigger is often changeable, such as room setup, alcohol, stress, ...