Since the beginning of humanity, sleep has been a bedroom getaway where your body gets a chance to relax. But for some, it is a state of mind where they come face to face with their deepest, darkest fear: sleep paralysis. Imagine waking up and instantly feeling like you lost all your bodily abilities. You can no longer speak or move, and you see a pair of eyes inching closer to you second by second. There is nothing you can do about it. This horrific example is just one case out of the many that occurs during sleep paralysis. Now for the million dollar question: why exactly do humans experience this terror?
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Sleep paralysis is a temporary episode where you are unable to move or speak. This usually occurs as a person is waking up or falling asleep, as they are disrupted from the REM sleep cycle. Many people who fell into an episode reported hallucinating; for example, seeing sights of demonic figures. Most hallucinations are visual, but auditory (such as hearing a high pitched ping) and olfactory hallucinations (such as smelling a scent that is not present) are not uncommon among the group. These episodes last as short as several seconds, to a longer duration of several minutes. People who do experience sleep paralysis may encounter it as rarely as once per year or as often as four times a week.
Dating all the way back to the 1600s, sleep paralysis is not a new discovery. In the early 19th century, theologians and philosophers believed that sleep paralysis had a connection with evil spirits. They associated these sleep episodes with something supernatural, such as witchcraft. Only through many studies and reports did they unfold the truth that sleep paralysis is just a transition in your brain from a REM cycle to wakefulness.
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On average, sleep paralysis strikes young adolescents around the ages 14-17. It is not as common in the older generation. Around 8% of the world population experience it, and it equally affects both men and women. There are no direct psychological explanations for what causes sleep paralysis, but a lack of sleep, a changing sleep schedule, and sleeping on your back can trigger an episode. Mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are the other factors that assist the triggering of this phenomenon. Despite these underlying components, people who are completely healthy are also susceptible to sleep paralysis.
There is no magical cure that can completely get rid of these terrifying sleep encounters. Scientists are not sure what exactly causes it, but there are some procedures to help lessen this problem. Practicing healthy sleep habits, such as going to bed at an appropriate time, can ensure the removal of sleep deprivation, a factor that provokes sleep paralysis. It is important to add these routines into your day until it becomes second nature. Who would want to be woken up to a monstrous sight in the corner of their room?
Sources:
WebMD. (2020). Sleep Paralysis. Sabrina Felson. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-paralysis
Pandika, M. (2020, June 17). What causes sleep paralysis? The science behind the terrifying condition. Mic. https://www.mic.com/p/what-causes-sleep-paralysis-the-science-behind-the-terrifying-condition-22987477
Willis, A. (n.d.). The Science Behind Sleep Paralysis—5 Facts About This Strange Sleep Phenomenon. Brooklyn Bedding. https://brooklynbedding.com/blogs/main/6-facts-about-sleep-paralysis
Written by Yujin Park
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