Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a term either used to describe the normal paralysis of the body that occurs during REM sleep, or a disorder where awareness is maintained when the body becomes paralysed when entering sleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis) or remains inappropriately paralysed when awakening (known as hypnopompic paralysis). To differentiate normal sleep paralysis and the disorder, the term for the sleep disorder is often referred to as awareness during sleep paralysis.
Normal sleep paralysis
Normal sleep paralysis is thought to be due to mechanisms in the brain stem, particularly the reticular, vestibular, and oculomotor neurons, which prevent bodily movements, block sensory input and provide the forebrain with the internally generated activity that characterises brain activity during REM sleep.
Awareness during sleep paralysis
Accompanying hallucinations
Many report hallucinations during these episodes. The features of these hallucinations generally vary by individual, but some are more common to the experience than others:
- Most common
- Vividness
- Fear
- Common
- Sensing a 'presence' (often malevolent)
- Pressure/weight on body (especially the chest)
- Fairly common
- Auditory hallucinations (often footsteps or indistinct voices)
- Visual hallucinations (often related to the aforementioned 'presence'; in these cases, sometimes nebulous)
- Less common
- Floating sensation (sometimes associated with Out-of-body experiences)
- Rare
- Falling sensation
- Vibration
Possible causes
Little is known about the physiology of awareness during sleep paralysis. However, some have suggested that it may be linked to post synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain. In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarisation current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles.
There is also a significant positive correlation between those experiencing this disorder frequently and those suffering from narcolepsy. However, various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives.
Some report that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include:
- Sleeping in a supine position
- Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in
- Increased stress
- Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes
Cultural references
In Japan, awareness during sleep paralysis is referred to as kanashibari; in Canada, as a visit from the "old hag"; in Mexico, as subida del muerto (the dead getting on top). In medieval times, attacks of sufferers of sleep paralysis may have given rise to the belief in incubi, succubi and other demons.
Henry Fuseli's painting The Nightmare is thought to be one of the classic depictions of awareness during sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation.
The combination of paralysis and hallucinations has led some to speculate that sleep paralysis might be a cause of some alien abduction reports and other paranormal experiences.
See also
External links
- Al Cheyne's Sleep Paralysis page
- The Evils of Sleep Paralysis with suggestions on how to escape the condition
- One anonymous person's experience with Sleep Paralysis and how to induce it
- Susan Blackmore on sleep paralysis
- The Skeptic's Dictionary entry on Sleep Paralysis
- Sleep paralysis at Here Be Dreams
- Sleep information and links from Stanford University