By: Samuel Pimping
Sleep paralysis is a disturbing phenomenon that everyone has or will have experienced
at least once in their lifetime. Even though it lasts only a few seconds to a couple of
minutes, it is one of the most distressing, unforgettable sensations that will ever make
you wonder as to why and how it happens.
You will normally be able to move whenever you awaken from slumber. However, in
very rare instances, the mind becomes “detached” from the body and falls out of
sync—causing the brain to transition into a wakeful state while the body remains asleep.
This results in complete immobilization, difficulty breathing, and even realistic
hallucinations.
Nightmares and Sleep Paralysis
I vividly remember a dream I had where I was walking alone in a dark castle. It was late
at night, and the hallway was illuminated by candlelight. There was absolute silence.
For some reason, I felt that something was wrong without understanding why.
Suddenly, there was a noise from behind, and I turned to look at a large open window.
Upon closer investigation and while gazing at the midnight sky, I heard a blood-curdling
shriek as a corpse fell from the upper floors of the castle—dangling directly in front of
me with a noose around its neck.
I woke up and felt a ringing in my ears. The scream echoed its way into a waking
nightmare, and I became even more horrified when I saw the bedsheets levitating
above me. I could not move my limbs or speak at all despite any effort to thrash and call
for help. I saw my arms flailing about, but this had been part of the hallucinations as well
because I remember that I could not feel them moving.
After what seemed like almost a minute, everything was back to normal.
Notwithstanding the harmless and ephemeral nature of sleep paralysis, the
phenomenon certainly left an impression on me as I had felt sheer dread while knowing
that I lost control over my own body. This terrifying loss of control is what causes the
mind, while in a state of bewilderment, to become further agitated and fall victim to a
positive feedback loop of fear and panic—triggering fight-or-flight responses,
aggravating anxiety, and exacerbating uncanny hallucinations.
The Science behind Sleep Paralysis
Whenever we sleep, our brain tells our body to go into “hibernation mode” and become
immobile. The voluntary muscles relax while involuntary functions such as breathing,
heartbeats, and eye movement continue. This temporary paralysis is called muscle
atonia. It naturally occurs to avoid the body from injuring itself in the event that you act
out your dreams. However, there are times a lack of mind-body connection will cause
the mind to wake up while still keeping the body at rest, resulting in the phenomenon
known as sleep paralysis.
Sleep paralysis can happen either upon waking or during the short window you fall
asleep. Think of it as being on the verge of wakefulness and slumber, where you stand
at the gateway between two vastly different realms. Hallucinations, whether auditory,
visual, or sensory, are common in episodes of sleep paralysis. They occur as if your
dreams were spilling into reality. They pose no harm, but the absence of control over
your own body coupled with troubling visions and sensations is a horrifying experience
in itself.
What causes these hallucinations? It involves hormones and brain malfunction.
Serotonin is associated with excitement, wakefulness, and awareness as to the
immediate environment. In dreams, this hormone is supposed to be suppressed to
maintain a relaxed state of slumber. However, in an episode of sleep paralysis, the
hormone begins to be released while the dreamer is still stuck in rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep. This causes a heightened state of consciousness even though the mind
and body are confined to a dreamlike condition where reality is distorted.
Ever wonder why you almost never know when you are dreaming, but you always know
for sure when you are awake? The link between serotonin and awareness may be the
answer. A depressed state of awareness due to serotonin suppression inhibits your
ability to tell apart a dream from reality, and its presence in waking life is why you are
always made aware that you are definitely not dreaming. Increased awareness is also
why episodes of sleep paralysis, unlike dreams, are practically unforgettable and
emotionally charged.
The blurred line between dreams and the material world makes the imagination more
vulnerable to “overthinking” and playing around with our senses. Warped sensations
can be as simple as floating blankets, but they can also be as extreme as the dire
foreboding of an intruder in your own home or even sightings of demonic entities within
the shadows.
These twisted contortions of reality are so iconic that they have actually made their
mark upon history.
The Sleep Demon
The Nightmare (as illustrated in the header of this article) is a 1781 oil painting by Swiss
artist Henry Fuseli. It depicts a woman, asleep, with a horrific incubus sitting on her
chest. The weight of the entity burdens the victim’s chest, alluding to the difficulty in
breathing and the sensation of dread that are commonly experienced during sleep
paralysis. The work is believed to be inspired by Fuseli’s waking dreams relating to
Germanic tales about demons and witches that possessed individuals who slept alone.
Symptoms and hallucinations of sleep paralysis apparently have common themes
among various people. Pressure on the chest, difficulty breathing, and inability to speak
are generally experienced. The unexplainable feeling of terror, despair, or danger is the
hallmark of an episode. Forms of hallucinations can be categorized as well into:
- Intruder hallucinations
- Incubus hallucinations
- Vestibular-motor hallucinations
Intruder hallucinations instigate the unmistakable suspicion of a perilous, unknown
presence within the premises. Dreamers have experienced diverse manifestations such
as monsters on the ceiling, space-aliens outside the window, and faceless shadows in a
corner. Incubus hallucinations, as illustrated in the painting, carry the great discomfort of
shallow breathing or suffocation due to abnormal pressure on the chest area. The
deactivation of major muscle groups during sleep is a factor in this sensation. Lastly,
Vestibular-motor hallucinations involve feelings of movement without a physical
manifestation, or even an out-of-body experience where one can see themselves
sleeping. In rare cases, sleep paralysis can be associated with a pleasant floating
sensation or bliss.
The frequency of sleep paralysis among all cultures have led to various attempts at
explanation in the past. For instance, the Japanese believe that it is the work of
vengeful spirits, while the Brazilians believe it is Pisadeira, a crone that walks on the
chests of people who sleep belly side up. This demonstrates that many instances of
sleep paralysis have been regarded as spiritual, supernatural, or even extraterrestrial
experiences. The connection of episodes of sleep paralysis to these beliefs may play a
role in several unexplainable events among individuals such as astral projection, alien
abductions, angelic interventions, demonic visitations, ghost sightings, or witchcraft.
How do I Avoid Sleep Paralysis?
While it only happens infrequently, some people who are more susceptible to episodes,
like those with sleeping disorders, may want to take extra measures. Irregular sleep patterns, fatigue, obstructive sleep apnea, and mental health conditions are correlated to the frequency of episodes.
The most convenient measure is to refrain from sleeping in a supine position (a position
where your back is fully against the bed and chest facing the ceiling). You are more
likely to be woken up by snoring or sleep apnea when lying on your back. Consistent
sleep routines, regular exercise, stress management, substance use mitigation,
consulting medication with your doctor, and addressing underlying conditions are other
ways to reduce its likelihood as well.
If ever you find yourself in an episode of sleep paralysis, the most important thing to
remember is to do everything to calm yourself down. Recognize that it is an episode.
Focus on relaxing and breathing as much as you can. Resort to prayer if you must.
During this, since you cannot move your limbs, focus on moving your extremities such
as your toes and fingers while moving your eyes—basking in the relief that you retain
control over your own body.
While sleep paralysis is generally an unpleasant experience, it is nothing to worry about
as long as you keep calm, acknowledge the sensation, and remind yourself that it will
be alright in the end!
