11 Things You SHOULD Know About Sleep Paralysis
Feb 02, 2018
Sleep paralysis can be terrifying for many people. It's a very common condition that many Americans deal with on a nightly basis. In short, it's a condition where an individual is waking up but unable to move the rest of their body. Not only can they not move but they can't speak either. The hallucinations that the individuals' experience are the most terrifying of all. In this article, we're going to be going over 11 different aspects of sleep paralysis.
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#11. The Symptoms
Individuals in distress or in a sleep deprived state have a higher chance of experiencing sleep paralysis. Even though the condition has been studied for a long time now, researchers have failed to come up with a valid explanation for it.
#10. Danger Is Fake
Even though the hallucinations may be terrifying, the condition itself does no harm to the body. No deaths have ever been reported from sleep paralysis before. When going through sleep paralysis, you have to trick your mind into thinking that it's a fantasy. Even though it may feel like a long time, you'll get through it. Reinforcing positive affirmations is key.
#9. Loss Of Control
Even though you may try your hardest to wake up your body, it won't work. The only things you can move are your digits on your hands and feet along with your facial muscles. Sometimes moving them helps, but most of the time you'll have to wait it out. However, the condition only lasts a few minutes.
#8. Throughout History
The Persians have documented sleep paralysis experiences dating all the way back to the 10th century. In 1664, a Dutch physician made the first observation of sleep paralysis. The doctor believed they were just nightmares. In the 19th century, the term was later referred to as "sleep paralysis".
#7. Fuseli's Painting
During the Renaissance, artist Henry Fuseli made a painting that demonstrated sleep paralysis. In the painting, it shows a demon sitting on a woman's chest. Pressure on the chest is a common feeling during sleep paralysis. All in all, it was a great work by the Swiss painter.
#6. Not A Disease
It's not a disease, it's a natural occurrence. Anyone can experience sleep paralysis. Most people have dealt with sleep paralysis at least once throughout their life. The intensity of the condition can definitely vary person to person. Adolescents, as well as mentally ill people, have a higher chance of experiencing sleep paralysis.
#5. Terrifying Hallucinations
During sleep paralysis, nightmares and hallucinations are a common occurrence. However, these aren't the same nightmares you have when you are asleep, for your mind feels awake and alert at the time of the hallucinations. This makes the condition scarier as it seems like it's something real. Because you are unable to scream or move, anxiety starts to roll over you.
#4. Folklore
There are many folk stories on sleep paralysis in various cultures. Japanese people relate sleep paralysis as being bound up with metal while the Chinese believe it's "ghost oppression". In America, people relate it to alien abductions. In Africa, it's symbolized as a sex wherein a "devil rides your back".
#3. How Does It Happen?
Sleep paralysis can occur when you are either falling asleep or waking up. During our sleep cycle, our body goes through REM sleep. Sleep paralysis happens when your body is unable to transition from this state to the next. Hypnagogic sleep paralysis occurs when you're falling asleep while hypnopompic sleep paralysis occurs when you're waking up.
#2. Slowly Dying
Sleep paralysis is a feeling of total despair. Many people feel that they are slowly dying when going through sleep paralysis. When they fully awaken, they feel like they have risen from the dead.
#1. Science Of Condition
Upon falling asleep, your brain sends signals to voluntary muscle groups that tell them to relax. The voluntary muscles go into atonia or a state of paralysis. This condition prevents injuries during nightmares. If atonia fails to work properly, people will talk or walk in their sleep.
Have you ever experienced any of these symptoms? It can be terrifying but at least now you know the facts!
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