8 Creepy Facts About Sleep Paralysis That Will Not Let You Sleep

Imagine you are about to fall asleep when suddenly you open your eyes and you canโ€™t move.ย You lie still on your bed, engulfed by an unknown fear.

Your heart beats faster and your chest starts to feel heavy. You feel a presence in your room and finally, you see itโ€ฆ. A dark shadow standing in the corner, approaching you.

Is this a dream? A hallucination? Or is this all real? You scream for help, but you canโ€™tโ€ฆ. You canโ€™t even breathe now as the entity moves in closer.
Can you imagine how scary that would be?

This terrifying experience is known as Sleep Paralysis and it belongs to a category of sleep-related conditions called parasomnias.

What is sleep paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a state when you are awake and conscious, but your body is in a paralyzed state of sleep.

You may feel that you are conscious but unable to speak or move. You feel a sense of being choked or pressure on your chest.

You may also experience hallucinations โ€“ hear, see or feel things that are not real โ€“ which can cause fear, panic, and superstitious beliefs, like a demonic presence.

Although people with the sleep disorder narcolepsy are more prone to experience sleep paralysis, healthy individuals may also have this terrifying experience.ย 

This psychological state may be caused by a dysfunction in rapid eye movement or REM sleep and can be triggered by unusual sleep cycles, sleep deprivation, or stress.ย 

It is fairly common and is usually not considered dangerous.ย 

Here are some of the most fascinating facts about sleep paralysis.

8 Shocking Facts About Sleep Paralysis

1. Sleep paralysis occurs during REM sleep

Although little is known about sleep paralysis, scientists do believe that this state is related to the rapid eye movement or REM sleep stage.

During this sleep cycle, our brain has vivid dreams and prevents muscle function so that we donโ€™t physically act out those dreams and hurt ourselves or others.ย 

Sleep paralysis occurs when we wake up during this REM stage. Although we may regain consciousness, our body is still left paralyzed as the muscles have not received the brain signals to move.

This leads to confusion, panic, and fear.

2. It is NOT a paranormal phenomenon

Have you heard about the sleep paralysis demon?

People who experience sleep paralysis often report seeing or being attacked by a shadow being or demonic entity known as the sleep paralysis demon. Some others also report about being abducted by aliens.

Also known as incubus or succubus, these demons reportedly engage in sexual acts with the helpless victim.ย 

But regardless of the countless folk tales, movies, and alleged true stories of the sleep paralysis demon & UFO abductions, sleep paralysis is a form of sleep disorder and has nothing to do with supernatural forces.

Read Also, Sleep Paralysis: Astral Demons And Witch Wars

3. You can have scary hallucinations

Are these reports of scary beings, demons, or aliens seen during sleep paralysis real or simply hallucinations conjured by our sleeping mind?

While these scary creatures can be terrifying and intriguing, these are merely hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations that are different from normal dreams.

Although your experiences may seem real, the demons or aliens are certainly not. These hallucinations occur when you are waking up or falling asleep and can make you believe that your nightmares are real.ย 

As you wake up during REM sleep, you regain your consciousness but are still dreaming. No wonder so many people report seeing scary beings. But dreams are just thatโ€ฆdreams.

4. You feel physically โ€˜paralyzedโ€™

During an episode, you may be fully conscious but you lose the ability to control your muscles. This can make you feel unable to breathe, move or talk along with a feeling of being choked, suffocated, or tightness in the chest.

In this immobilized state, you feel threatened and defenseless as you struggle to breathe and scream for help. But this happens more due to a dysfunction in REM sleep than due to a demonic attack.

5. Sleep paralysis canโ€™t kill you

While there is no doubt that sleep paralysis can be extremely scary and frightening, it is actually harmless. Till now, there are no clinical records of death caused by sleep paralysis.

But people who have experienced this state often fear for their lives even though it cannot physically harm you. Sadly, superstitions and cultural explanations associated with this condition make it seem scary and mysterious.

6. We donโ€™t know what exactly causes sleep paralysis

Although scientists know that sleep paralysis is related to REM sleep, they are still not sure about what exactly causes an episode.ย 

While interruption in your sleep pattern can be a major factor; medications, stress, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, sleeping on your back, and sleep disorders can trigger this sleep state.

Some experts also believe that sleep paralysis can be inherited, which means that if you have a family member who experiences sleep paralysis, then you are likely to experience it as well.

However, there is no clear cause or explanation for it yet.

All you need to do is get some undisturbed sleep, and you will be just fine.

7. Youโ€™re not sleeping during sleep paralysisย 

During sleep paralysis, you are not in a state of sleep nor are you awake. It is a state of immobilized consciousness that occurs between wakefulness and sleep and may last for a few seconds or few minutes.

Sleep paralysis makes our senses hyper-aware, our mind active and our body paralyzed. In this unfamiliar space, our mind perceives nightmares as real experiences making us see ghostly or extraterrestrial entities.ย 

This is why we can remember the terrifying episodes more clearly than normal dreams or nightmares, as in waking dreams we are unable to distinguish between whatโ€™s real and whatโ€™s not.

8. It is more common than you think

Did you know that around 8% of people experience sleep paralysis once in their lifetime?

This sleep condition is fairly common and often experienced first in our teenage years, between the ages 14 and 17. However, you can experience it at any age and both men and women can suffer from this terrifying experience.

Sleep paralysis is a mysterious condition surrounded by superstitions and paranormal beliefs. But in reality, it is simply a disruptive sleep-related disorder that can cause hallucinations that seem all too real.

Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? Let us know in the comments section below.


Facts About Sleep Paralysis Will Not Let You Sleep
Facts About Sleep Paralysis pin

— Share —

,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Are You a Spiritual Wanderer? 7 Telltale Signs to Watch For

Signs Youre Spiritual Wanderer Seeking Your Path

Do you ever feel like youโ€™re on a path that no one else seems to understand? Like youโ€™re constantly seeking something deeper, something beyond the everyday hustle? You might just be a spiritual wanderer.

Spiritual wanderers have a knack for digging into lifeโ€™s biggest questions, feeling connections to the universe, and exploring things in their own way.

If youโ€™ve ever wondered why you feel so different, or why youโ€™re so drawn to nature and self-reflection, keep reading.

Today, we are going to talk about the meaning of spiritual wanderers, and the signs you are a spiritual wanderer. Let’s find our if you are one and what it means for you.

Up Next

11 Spiritual Signs Someone Is Manifesting You In Their Life

Signs Someone Is Manifesting You In Their Life

Ever been drawn to someone and donโ€™t know why? Manifestation is a mystical tool that might be used to attract people, opportunities, and situations into your life. Below are some of the spiritual and physical signs someone is manifesting you into their life.

They may be bringing you into their life consciously or unconsciously however, if you know these spiritual signs someone is manifesting you, then it will give you an idea about this person and how they could be affecting your relationship with them.

Up Next

Good Luck Or Bad Luck? The Hidden Meaning Of Broken Glass

Good Luck Or Bad Luck The Hidden Meaning Of Broken Glass

Ever had a shattered window or even just a glass slip from your hand? According to folklore, the breaking of glass is a bad omen. So, if you notice this phenomenon frequently, you might want to explore the meaning of broken glass.

What could it mean, and how could it be affecting your life? Whether youโ€™re breaking it yourself or finding it broken, pay attention!

From dreams spiritual messages to feng shui meaning of broken glass and many more, it carries a lot of symbolism. Letโ€™s look into the possible meanings and how they might help us better understand our lives and experiences. After all, everything happens for a reason.

Up Next

7 Signs Of Spiritual Awakening (And Some Common Misconceptions)

Signs Of Spiritual Awakening Plus Traps to Avoid

A spiritual awakening is like stepping into a new dimension of understanding. It can be disorienting and lonely at times, but itโ€™s also incredibly profound and beautiful. As you navigate this shift, you might find that the things you once valuedโ€”like money, fame, or powerโ€”no longer hold the same allure. Instead, you start to crave something deeper, something more authentic. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Today we’ll dive deeper into some telltale signs of spiritual awakening and common misconceptions associated with them.

What Is Spiritual Awakening?

A spiritual awakening is like reconnecting with your true self and discovering a new perspective on reality. Itโ€™s an awakening to who you really are and what life truly means. Once t

Up Next

7 Ways To Receive Spiritual Guidance Straight From The Universe

Ways To Receive Spiritual Guidance Straight From The Universe

โ€œI have no idea what to do.โ€

โ€œI am so confused.โ€

Does life ever feel like a maze with no clear exit? I wish I could hand you a map, but unfortunately, it doesnโ€™t exist. However, thereโ€™s a powerful tool you can use when you find yourself at a crossroads โ€“ tuning in to receive spiritual guidance from the Universe. But how to receive spiritual guidance?

The signs from the universe arenโ€™t always flashy or obviousโ€”they can be as subtle as a whisper, a gut feeling, or a seemingly random encounter that sticks with you. But how do you seek spiritual guidance from the universe?

In this guide, weโ€™ll explore how you can open yourself up to receiving this spiritual guidance from the Universe. But first letโ€™s understand what

Up Next

Starseeds And Lightworkers: 8 Jaw-Dropping Differences You Wonโ€™t Believe

Starseeds And Lightworkers Mind Blowing Differences You Wont Believe

Ever heard of Starseeds and Lightworkers? If youโ€™re into spiritual stuff, these two terms probably ring a bell. And even if you are not, then these concepts are actually pretty interesting.

While theyโ€™re both here to help humanity in some way, they go about it in pretty different ways, and their missions, origins, and vibes couldnโ€™t be more unique!

Whether you think youโ€™re one, know one, or are just curious, get ready for a breakdown of these cosmic beings and Earthly healers thatโ€™ll have you seeing them in a whole new light.

Today we are going to all about what is a starseed, what is a lightworker and some pretty interesting differences between a lightworker and starseed.

So, if you have ever asked yourself the question “Am I a starsee

Up Next

5 Ways For Manifesting With The Moon Phases: Align Your Goals!

The moon, our nearest neighbor, profoundly influences not only the nature of the Earth but also the ebb and flow of our daily lives. Therefore, manifesting with the moon phases is also very common among spiritual believers.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

With its never-ending glow and beauty, the moon casts a charm on our life cycle and imagination. It has also been cli