sleep paralysis - The Skeptic's Dictionary (original) (raw)
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Sleep paralysis is a condition that occurs in the state just before
dropping off to sleep (the hypnagogic state) or just before fully awakening from sleep (the hypnopompic state). The condition is characterized by being unable to move or speak. It is often associated with a feeling that there is some sort of presence, a feeling which often arouses fear but is also accompanied by an inability to cry out. The paralysis may last only a few seconds. The experience may involve visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations. The description of the symptoms of sleep paralysis is similar to the description many alien abductees give in recounting their abduction experiences. Sleep paralysis is thought by some to account for not only many alien abduction delusions, but also ghost sightings and delusions involving paranormal or supernatural experiences (e.g., incubus and succubus).
Sleep paralysis is something many people experience once or twice in a lifetime but it is a frequent occurrence of those suffering fromnarcolepsy.
further reading
books
websites
Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment by Alina Bradford, Live Science
Sleep Paralysis and Associated Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Experiences
Isolated Sleep Paralysis: A Web Survey by Giorgio Buzzi and Fabio Cirignotta
Abduction by Aliens or Sleep Paralysis? Susan Blackmore
Waking Up to Sleep Paralysis by Chris Mooney
My experience with sleep paralysis by Anonymous
Sleep disorders by Dr Alison Bentley, School of Physiology, Wits University, South Africa
Dr. William C. Dement's page on sleep paralysis
'Alien abductees' suffer post-traumatic stress
Sleeping with the Light On - the paranormal in Iceland
news
The waking nightmare of sleep paralysis Around one in 20 people report experiencing associated symptoms, including a strong sense of a presence, difficulty breathing due to pressure on the chest, intense fear, and a wide range of hallucinations.
Last updated 29-Jun-2015