It is generally not dangerous to wake a sleepwalker, but it can cause them temporary confusion and disorientation. Sleepwalking occurs during deep non- REM sleep when the brain is in a state between full sleep and wakefulness, meaning parts of the brain responsible for consciousness are still in deep slow-wave sleep. If awakened, the sleepwalker may experience mental fog, grogginess, and confusion because their brain is not fully alert yet. This can sometimes lead to unpredictable or startled behavior. Most experts recommend not waking a sleepwalker unless they are in immediate danger because waking may cause disorientation that could lead to injury if the person reacts violently or tries to flee. Instead, the safest approach is to gently and calmly guide the sleepwalker back to bed without waking them. However, if a sleepwalker is at risk of hurting themselves, waking them safely is advised to prevent harm. Waking does not cause heart attacks or brain damage as some myths suggest, but the disturbed state may result in a stress response like a racing heart or sweating. In summary, waking a sleepwalker is not inherently dangerous but can cause confusion and potential injury if they respond unpredictably. The priority should be safety: calmly redirect them if possible, and wake them only if necessary to prevent harm.