Born from NASA technology and perfected for sleep.
Relationships
7 min read
Health & Wellbeing
Let’s clear up the myth and see whether any eight-legged guests are really sneaking past your lips at night.
3 Min Read | By Holly James
Last Modified 22 August 2025 First Added 2 December 2024
Have you ever heard the creepy “fact” that you swallow eight spiders a year in your sleep? Don’t worry, it’s nothing more than a myth. In fact, we don’t swallow any spiders while we snooze. Spiders aren’t interested in crawling into our mouths, and our bodies do a pretty good job of keeping them out.
Let’s learn all about why you won’t find yourself eating a midnight spider snack, and where this fear has come from.
It’s a well-known myth that we swallow spiders in our sleep, with claims suggesting we ingest around eight per year. However, experts agree that there’s no truth to this. Here’s why:
The truth is, we’re just too big and noisy for spiders to bother with. They’re sensitive to movement and vibrations, which usually sends them scurrying away rather than crawling closer. Most species don’t even live inside homes, and the ones that do tend to stick to quiet, warm, and damp spots where food is easy to find.
Spiders usually keep to themselves and almost never bite unless they feel threatened. When they do cross paths with us, their instinct is to steer clear, not get closer.
When you exhale, the carbon dioxide and water vapour you release act as a natural deterrent. Since they rely on oxygen, the air we breathe out isn’t appealing, which helps keep them away from your face.
Unless you’re an incredibly deep sleeper, the sensation of a spider crawling on your face would most likely wake you up long before it got anywhere near your mouth. Even in the unlikely event that a spider did wander into your mouth, the surprise would certainly be enough to startle you awake.
Most people sleep with their mouths shut, making it nearly impossible for a spider to wander in. And if you want extra peace of mind, techniques like mouth taping can encourage nose breathing at night, keeping your airways clear and your spider worries away.
Even if a spider somehow ended up near your mouth, swallowing it would be nearly impossible. While we do swallow in our sleep, there are long stretches when no swallowing occurs. On top of that, a spider isn’t exactly smooth or easy to swallow, making the chances of it happening virtually zero.
The claim that we swallow spiders in our sleep was never based on science, and its exact origin is a bit murky. One popular theory traces it back to a 1993 magazine article, where the ‘eight spiders a year’ line was intended as a joke, illustrating how easily misinformation can spread. Ironically, the fake fact took on a life of its own, becoming one of the most persistent myths. Why did it go viral? Because it’s gross, shocking, and memorable – precisely the kind of story people can’t resist sharing.
Now that we know why this myth persists, let’s answer some common spider questions people have.
Spiders are one of the most common fears people have. In fact, around 6% of the population suffers from arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. Studies suggest that our fear of spiders may be an evolutionary response, stemming from the need to protect ourselves from scorpions that threatened our ancestors. Over time, this fear may have evolved to other arachnids, such as spiders, even though most pose no risk to humans.
Other theories suggest that a fear of spiders may result from nurture rather than nature, stemming from a negative experience with a spider or exposure to a parent or family member with arachnophobia.
If the fear of spiders is keeping you awake at night, read our article on how to calm feelings of anxiety for a better night’s sleep.
There are around 660 different spider species in the UK, but the good news is that most pose very little threat to humans. Only twelve species are known to bite, and even then, they do so rarely and only in self-defence.
While spider bites can cause minor irritation, such as itching or swelling, these symptoms generally subside quickly. The most well-known venomous spider in the UK, the false widow, may cause more noticeable symptoms, but these typically last only a few days. Fortunately, bites from these spiders are rare and are usually not severe.
Are you still afraid you might swallow a spider? Here are some spider-proofing tips to have a good night’s sleep without any creepy crawlies:
Read more: How to keep spiders out of your bedroom
If the thought of swallowing spiders has been keeping you up at night, rest assured – it’s just a myth. As the saying goes, spiders are more afraid of you than you are of them. Most spiders in the UK are harmless, so you can sleep soundly knowing that incy wincy poses no threat at all.
See all articles by Holly James
Encyclopaedia
8 min read
General
6 min read