Why do people snore when they sleep but not when we’re awake?

Question

Why aren’t we snoring all the time? Are we actively regulating are breathing so we don’t when we’re awake? How and why?

In: Biology

Answer 1

To all commenters, please remember that our rules for ELI5 are quite strict.

In particular top-level comments (meaning those directly in response to the original post) MUST be attempts to explain the question.

Anecdotes about your partner’s (or your dog’s) snoring pattern, no matter how annoying (or cute) they might be, don’t help explain the situation and will be removed.

Thanks!