Answer
May 28, 2018 - 03:42 AM
What you're describing is scientifically known as Sleep paralysis. This is the terrifying feeling of being held down after just waking up or going to sleep. You can't move or scream, and sometimes this paralysis is accompanied with the feeling of suffocation and the certainty that someone or something is in the room with you.
You may have even encountered realistic hallucinations with strange creatures, ghosts, monsters or demons who seem to enjoy tormenting you by sitting on your chest and holding you down.
The exact cause as to why many people around the world experience sleep paralysis remains unclear, but researchers believe sleep paralysis is caused by the disturbed rapid eye movement cycle because it mostly happens as people are falling into or coming out of (REM) sleep state.
During the REM stage, the human brain naturally paralyzes the muscles so that you don't fully act out your dreams and potentially hurt yourself. Think of it as your body defense system.
However, there are cases where you may find yourself talking or wake up kicking and screaming out of your sleep because the dream appeared to be so real.
Many researchers feel that the amygdala, (a small almond shaped part of the human brain) which is responsible for feeling emotions or mortal fear is believed to be the culprit.
During sleep paralysis, the sleeper is half awake, and is aware he or she cannot move or is being held down. This triggers a panic and you begin to fight with what seems to feel like a supernatural presence forcefully holding you down.
According to an article I've read at https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders... if possible, people should avoid the following:
Skip the nap. "Nappers seem more prone to sleep paralysis than non-nappers," Kushida says, "unless the nappers always sleep at the same time each day."
Get as much sleep as possible. "There seems to be some evidence that people who are sleep deprived enter REM very quickly, which means they're still awake as their body gets paralyzed," Kushida says.
Don't sleep on your back. Sleep experts have found a correlation between sleeping in a supine position and being vulnerable to sleep paralysis.
You may have even encountered realistic hallucinations with strange creatures, ghosts, monsters or demons who seem to enjoy tormenting you by sitting on your chest and holding you down.
The exact cause as to why many people around the world experience sleep paralysis remains unclear, but researchers believe sleep paralysis is caused by the disturbed rapid eye movement cycle because it mostly happens as people are falling into or coming out of (REM) sleep state.
During the REM stage, the human brain naturally paralyzes the muscles so that you don't fully act out your dreams and potentially hurt yourself. Think of it as your body defense system.
However, there are cases where you may find yourself talking or wake up kicking and screaming out of your sleep because the dream appeared to be so real.
Many researchers feel that the amygdala, (a small almond shaped part of the human brain) which is responsible for feeling emotions or mortal fear is believed to be the culprit.
During sleep paralysis, the sleeper is half awake, and is aware he or she cannot move or is being held down. This triggers a panic and you begin to fight with what seems to feel like a supernatural presence forcefully holding you down.
According to an article I've read at https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders... if possible, people should avoid the following:
Skip the nap. "Nappers seem more prone to sleep paralysis than non-nappers," Kushida says, "unless the nappers always sleep at the same time each day."
Get as much sleep as possible. "There seems to be some evidence that people who are sleep deprived enter REM very quickly, which means they're still awake as their body gets paralyzed," Kushida says.
Don't sleep on your back. Sleep experts have found a correlation between sleeping in a supine position and being vulnerable to sleep paralysis.
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