The strange, terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis

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If you’ve ever woken up unable to move or speak — even though your mind was fully awake — you’ve likely experienced something called sleep paralysis.

It’s far more common than most people realize, but because the experience feels surreal and often terrifying, many hesitate to talk about it.

30% of people will experience it

Most people have never heard of a sleep disorder called sleep paralysis. But it’s something many of us will experience at least once in our lives—whether we remember it or not.

Sleep paralysis is a medical condition that occurs in the moments right before you fall asleep or as you’re waking up. During an episode, a person becomes unable to move or speak, even though they’re mentally awake.

It’s also common to experience hallucinations or out-of-body sensations, which makes the situation feel especially frightening.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, sleep paralysis occurs “when your body is in between stages of sleep and wakefulness.” Episodes usually last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes and are classified as a type of parasomnia. While the experience can be frightening, sleep paralysis is completely harmless.

Researchers estimate that about 30% of people will experience sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime.

It can happen just as you’re falling asleep or right as you’re waking up. Common symptoms include an inability to move or speak, pressure on the chest, the sensation of being outside your body, vivid hallucinations, and intense fear or panic. Some episodes last only moments, while others can stretch up to 20 minutes.

So what causes it?

During REM sleep—the stage when most dreaming occurs—your brain temporarily “shuts off” your muscles. This prevents you from physically acting out your dreams. Sleep paralysis happens when your mind wakes up before your body does, leaving you conscious but unable to move.

The mismatch is often triggered by:

  • High stress
  • Poor or irregular sleepContinue reading…

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