Horrors of Sleep Paralysis

Your eyes are open and you feel a presence in your room.

What is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep Paralysis is a state in sleep where one feels awake and conscious but unable to move or speak; essentially, inability to react to the uncanny hallucinations. This usually occurs when the brain transitions from wakefulness to sleep and sleep to wakefulness.

What happens during Sleep Paralysis?

Your brain suddenly awakens while your body is still asleep. Your eyes are open and you feel a presence in your room. A sense of fear creeps in but you are unable to move. You start hallucinating and see ghosts, aliens, unidentified shadows, or a stranger. As a response to panic, your chest starts getting heavy. As the fear overwhelms, you feel difficulty breathing and start choking. Nevertheless, you are in a helpless condition and can’t move. All of this happens in several minutes or moments and it passes.

It happens when your body shifts between NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement). When NREM ends, REM begins, your eyes move quickly, and dreams start. You are sleeping now and if your brain becomes aware before the end of the REM Cycle, the hallucinations occur and you cannot move.

My Episodes of Sleep Paralysis

My episodes of sleep paralysis are completely unusual and rare. Generally, sleep paralysis happens for the…