Sleep paralysis is the sensation of feeling paralyzed upon awakening, usually immediately following a dream. This is commonly associated with the loss of muscle tone during dreams, called atony. This loss of muscle tone during the dream sleep (REM) stage, prevents one from acting out his or her dreams.
It is believed to be one of the instances where sleep and wakefulness are not mutually exclusive. It is believed that during the REM sleep, where there is complete muscle inhibition, suddenly the mind wakes up, but there is still atonia, hence, the person if fully awake but cannot move (paralyzed) for that few seconds (sleep paralysis). This can be a scary experience.
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No, sleep paralysis itself is not dangerous, although it can be frightening. The episodes usually last only a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and no physical harm occurs.
People often describe feeling awake but unable to move, accompanied by a sense of pressure on their chest or an inability to breathe normally. Some also report hallucinations, like seeing or sensing a presence in the room.
Common triggers include lack of sleep, irregular sleep patterns, high stress, sleeping on one’s back, or sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and getting adequate rest can help reduce episodes of sleep paralysis.
Although it’s difficult to break out of an episode, focusing on moving a small body part (like a finger or toe) or regulating breathing can sometimes help end it.
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