The strange, terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis

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, theContinue reading…