diff --git a/server/src/systems/thoughtSystem.ts b/server/src/systems/thoughtSystem.ts
index 918ae7a..cbaf441 100644
--- a/server/src/systems/thoughtSystem.ts
+++ b/server/src/systems/thoughtSystem.ts
@@ -43,12 +43,15 @@ export function createThoughtSystem(
       for (const entityId of npcs) {
         if (!followedEntityIds.has(entityId)) continue;
 
+        // Skip sleeping NPCs - they don't think
+        const brain = world.getComponent<any>(entityId, 'npcBrain');
+        if (brain?.currentGoal === 'sleep') continue;
+
         const cooldownUntil = cooldowns.get(entityId) ?? 0;
         if (tick < cooldownUntil) continue;
 
         const needs = world.getComponent<Needs>(entityId, 'needs');
         const social = world.getComponent<SocialState>(entityId, 'socialState');
-        const brain = world.getComponent<any>(entityId, 'npcBrain');
         const context = determineTrigger(needs, social, brain, tick);
 
         eligible.push({ entityId, context });
@@ -139,12 +142,14 @@ function determineTrigger(
 
 function describeState(needs: Needs | undefined, brain: any): string {
   const parts: string[] = [];
-  if (needs) {
+  if (brain?.currentGoal === 'sleep') {
+    parts.push('sleeping');
+  } else if (needs) {
     if (needs.hunger < 30) parts.push('hungry');
     if (needs.energy < 30) parts.push('tired');
     if (parts.length === 0) parts.push('content');
   }
-  if (brain?.currentGoal) {
+  if (brain?.currentGoal && brain.currentGoal !== 'sleep') {
     parts.push(brain.currentGoal === 'wander' ? 'wandering' : brain.currentGoal);
   }
   return parts.join(', ') || 'idle';