Talk:Sleep paralysis/Archive1

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[edit] Night Terror in See Also?

I originally put a link to night terror in See Also, but then I felt I wasn't sure if it fit, so I removed it. But...I'm getting feelings of regret again and kind of feel like putting it back. I don't think there's a real strong "scientific" link between sleep paralysis and night terror, but they are kind of "contrasting" yet similar in some ways, I feel (in that sleep paralysis can induce a fearful hallucination while somewhat conscious, while night terror just puts the person in a more unconscious panic or so, though they occur at different sleep stages, from what I understand of 'em). Anyway, I just wanted to get some "approval" of knowing if it was appropriate to stick in or not, since it's not as strongly as related as the other three "See Also's" listed. Shadowolf 09:27, 13 November 2005 (UTC)

Mmm, relabel "see also" or put in a new "see other sleep disorder" link, its just too different to be comparing the two. Hope that clears things up :)--ISeeDeadPixels 22:45, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of astral projection paragraph

"Depending upon one's spiritual beliefs, some believe that sleep paralysis is simply your body being accidentally woken up while your soul is coming back into it. (under a theory that you leave your body, on occasion, while asleep). Your body reacts, as it only associates this event with the time that you are 'dying', so it panics and imagines generally nightmarish things."

this content did not fit in with the section it was placed, nor with the article in general. Since we are talking about a "neurological disorder" and not a "spiritual disorder". If it is worth mentioning though it should be placed under a new "religous" section with tie-ins to whatever specific "religous" belief system it belongs to.

Agreed. I thought the paragraph was a bit odd when I first saw it. — Frecklefoot | Talk 19:22, Jul 8, 2004 (UTC)

There is a spiritual component to all traditional healing or any program of wellness. "Physician heal thy self." A physician can diagnose illness and offer a prognosis and medicine that isn't always effective. As a species our ego tells us that if something doesn't work 100% of the time it is false. How many physicians have a 100% cure rate?

Twenty years ago Western medicine considered Tai Chi and Chi Kung nonsense. Today most medical facilities offer classes in Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Yoga. In addition, many lectures and workshops at major medical facilities discuss the integration between Western Medicine and Eastern traditional healing. For example the metastasis of cancer and Eastern spiritualism. East or West is not correct as it is universal. Energy seen or unseen is truth. Truth and fact are not always congruous. All the best! Italianceltic

[edit] Rework of Opening Paragraph

I contest the latest changes by Vaughan. Though I am not a sleep disorder expert, every reference I can find refers to the disorder as sleep paralysis, not the more cumbersome awareness during sleep paralysis. I suggest we change the paragraph to state that sleep paralysis is a sleep disorder. Do a google search: almost every reference for "sleep paralysis" will turn up information on a disorder. We can mention that paralysis during sleep is normal, but the term "sleep paralysis" is used to refer to a disorder. Then we should revert all the additons of "awareness during sleep paralysis" back to simply "sleep paralysis." I just think in the earnestness of being "absolutely correct," Vaughan has sacrificed clarity. We can also keep his valuable additions of the more clinical and specific terms, but it shouldn't be implied that "sleep paralysis," when used in common contexts, refers to a normal condition. —Frecklefoot 15:54, 17 Feb 2004 (UTC)

I would agree with Frecklefoot. I have never seen the term "sleep paralysis" used in any way other than in reference to the sleep disorder. Joyous 21:05, Jun 8, 2004 (UTC)

Since no one has contested my change, I'm going to change it back. The current opening paragraph is too clumsy. — Frecklefoot | Talk 19:22, Jul 8, 2004 (UTC)

Ack, sorry I made the revert before reading the above. However, Google is not the font of all knowledge! Describing sleep paralysis only as a disorder does not fully capture the way it is used. The rewritten intro paragraph describes and explains both usages of this term. Why stick to one when it will obstruct people who want to conduct further investigation in the scientific literature ? Also, describing it solely as a disorder leaves no room to discuss normal sleep paralysis and even clinical problems where people do not have normal sleep paralsysis i.e. parasomnia - Vaughan 12:06, 7 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Okay. I have no beef with the article in its current state per the comments above. It clearly states where Sleep Paralysis can be a disorder. — Frecklefoot | Talk 15:16, Aug 9, 2004 (UTC)

Personally, I think the term "Awareness During Sleep Paralysis is more precise, and we can always have wikipedia forward the more copmmon but less exact name. In my psychology class on the subject of reconstructed/false memories, that is the term we used. It emphasizes that individuals are, in fact, aware during this period.
Under symptoms, I believe there is room to briefly detail some of the psychological symptoms people describe (which appear in better detail under the Hypnagogia entry): terror, a feeling of (often malicious) presence ("The Entity"), lost time, floating, etc.
--Telecart 00:01, 23 July 2006 (UTC)
The "awareness" aspect has been thoroughly discussed. Read it in: [1]. --69.9.26.177 00:51, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Link kill

Why was this link removed? I thought it had some good information. — Frecklefoot | Talk 18:27, Sep 8, 2004 (UTC)

I agree that the link should be put back in....
also, I have sleep paralysis on a fairly regular basis.. I saw that it usually only lasts 2 minutes... but has anyone else had it, and if so, doesn't it seem like an eternity? Sometimes when I have it my body is faced so that I can see the clock, and I'll look at it and see what time it is and then look away, and it'll seem like hours, and I'll snap out of the paralysis and sit up if I have the energy, and it will be the same time.... or I'll have it, fall asleep, have it again, and the time won't have changed at all. I wouldn't know how to word it though, and I don't want to put it under something that's common if it's just me that has it. --Filladdar

I have it and so does my daughter. It does seem like a long time, but I've never been able to time it since I can't even open my eyes while experiencing it. — Frecklefoot | Talk 15:06, Dec 6, 2004 (UTC)

I've had sleep paralysis for over a decade. There was a period about 7 years ago, when it became so severe that I was scared of going to sleep, wary of the terror that awaited me. This is what I used to go through, I'll tell you as if it is happening right now:
  • I am in my bed in my apartment.
  • It's in the middle of the night, probably 230am.
  • I was asleep and I think I was probably having a dream. But then suddenly, I got thrown out of the dream. My dream broke and now I am awake.
  • I can see the wall of the room at the far end of the room but I can't get up.
  • I can't move at all. I am totally paralysed.
  • I can blink my eyes though. I can even roll my eyes. I can look in different directions. But I can't move my body.
  • I feel as if there's someone in the room. I am certain it wants to kill me.
  • I feel a heavy weight on my chest.
  • I feel this powerful prescence which is trying to completely take me over.
  • I am terrified.
  • I have been through this kind of thing *many* times before.
  • I am reminding myself, "This is only a dream. This is not really happening. This is a dream. I need to get up. I must get up. I have to get up NOW."
  • I won't let it take over me. I am NOT afraid of it.
  • I know it's a spirit but I am not afraid. Because I have a spirit too - my soul. Plus, I even have a body to go with it.
  • Finally, I can move. The episode is over. I can only guess, but I think that a mere two minutes have passed.

Now people, I would like to tell you all that there was apparently a very simple *cure* for my sleep paralysis and it was this: I stopped drinking soft drinks like Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper etc. after 6pm at night. I heard it on the radio that such drinks can trigger sleep paralysis for some reason. At the time, I was desperate to get rid of my sleep paralysis. So, I tried this simply solution and lo and behold, *IT WORKED*! Now, I almost never have an episode of sleep paralysis except may be once or twice a year. Plus, I have chosen a line of work, in which I am awake during the night and asleep during the day. I'm a computer programmer. No kidding!!! Purple Dog 00:54, 19 February 2006 (UTC)

I use to have something very similar that I've wondered about for a while. If anyone knows could they identify it? When I was like six years old or so, I would often wake up in the middle of the night. I would have full control over my body, so it probably isn't sleep paralysis, but I would mumble and ramble like I was crazy or something, and sounds would be distorted. I would hear a constant, annoying sound. Often, pacing back and forth and rambling would be the only thing that would help and it would seem like I'm up for a long time. This only happened a few times but I am completely serious about it and I have no idea what it is. bob rulz 23:08, Jan 2, 2005 (UTC)
I have no idea, but I am not a sleep disorder expert of phychiatrist. You may want to try Wikipedia:Reference desk. HTH — Frecklefoot | Talk 16:51, Jan 3, 2005 (UTC)
I think I know what you went through as a child: You were violently awakened by someone doing something near your bedroom that created a horriffic noise which was loud enough to shake you up from your sleep. Being a child, in an extremely sleepy state, you heard this noise as unintelligible, annoying noises. The rambling was due to the violent way that your sleep was disturbed and the pacing helped you go back to sleep because it had a rhythm - and that had a calming effect on your heart and brought your blood pressure down to normal. You could therefore, relax again, and go back to sleep. Hope this helps. Purple Dog 00:36, 19 February 2006 (UTC)


Purple Dog, I used to have the same problem. I also am a software developer, I don't know if there is anything in that. Regardless, I seem to off fixed the problem by adding more potasium to my diet. I read an article in Discover where some guy was totally conscious, and had spells of temporary paralysis from the neck down. The doctor who authored the article attributed the subjects paralysis to a potassium defenciency.
I am also interested in how you linked Coke products to your spells. I read that iron oxide and potassium is how coke achieves gasification. Coke is loaded with iron oxide... wonder if there is anything to that.Anon

[edit] Literal Japanese translation

Minor change: Added literal Japanese translation for kanashibari - firstfox 15:12, 28 Oct 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Sleep paralysis and the brain?

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. This is thought to be necessary to prevent the body from movements caused by dreams. Eyes however are not paralyzed by this system, and this exception was used to prove that lucid dreaming was an objectively verifiable phenomenon.

I thought that the onset of sleep included the release of a hormone specialized to paralyize muscle and that sleep paralysis is when a person becomes conscious when their body is so-paralyzed. "mechanisms in the brain stem...which prevent bodily movements" isn't very descriptive. Which mechanisms? Neurotransmitters? (which?)

I went looking for the name of the hormone(s) involved with the onset of sleep, and I wasn't able to find anything concrete. There are too many references to narcolepsy.

Some interesting reading:

Resources

Notes:

  • Hypnagogic sleep paralysis - brief episodes of paralysis that occur when falling asleep.
  • Hypnopompic sleep paralysis - brief episodes of paralysis that occur when waking up

-- Sy / (talk) 19:40, 26 Jan 2005 (UTC)

[edit] The cholinergic nervous system

I found the reference, could someone find a way to integrate it into the article? -- Sy / (talk) 15:48, 4 March 2006 (UTC)

The cholinergic nervous system, which is controlled by the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine, helps control body movement, such as sleepwalking, tossing and turning, and general muscle activity, during sleep. -- Robert Haas, Eat Smart, Think Smart ISBN 0-06-109234-7 page 117.

[edit] Sleep paralysis and alien abductions

Did anyone catch that Peter Jennings special last night (2/24) on UFOs? They mentioned sleep paralysis as a possible explanation for people thinking they were abducted from their beds. That might be worthwhile to mention in this article.

I think that topic is discussed in Carl Sagan's book "The Demon-Haunted World." I don't know where my copy is, though, so I can't immediately reference it. Joyous 22:26, Feb 25, 2005 (UTC)
It is mentioned in the article. :-) — Frecklefoot | Talk 22:27, Feb 25, 2005 (UTC)

I agree with this statement. I once experienced sleep paralysis. I scared my out of my wits and it felt as though I was being binded by chains and could not move or even open my eyes. My dream continued on though and I became lucid, screaming and dropping to the floor in it. If you become lucid and you are dreaming about some creepy alien sci-fi spaceship situation, it is easy to see how you could be freaked out and imagine it really happened. --CherryT 01:35, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

On a personal note: i just saw the alien abduction documentary. i remember having experienced sleep paralysis once in my life so far. i'm european, but from a culture that doesn't specificaly explain sleep paralysis. at the time, however, i had been two years into my studies as japanese major, and had heard about kanashibari and how it relates to ghosts in the japanese mindframe. i swear, the moment i experienced it, i "knew" i was seeing a ghost. a japanese style ghost, nonetheless. had i been american, perhaps i'd be seeing little grey men, or maybe lady death, if i was mexican. i don't think you even need to dream about these things, it's just the straw that the mind grasps for when trying hard to process what it's experiencing, and it's culturally defined. 213.172.254.98 01:20, 6 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Sleep paralysis shows separate states?

Where did this section come from? It says "From the personal experience of M. van Veen, during which the writer wondered how it was possible to be on two tracks at the same time." Not only do I not understand the "the writer wondered how it was possible to be on two tracks at the same time" comment, but it sounds like it's the personal experience of a Wikipedia user. If this is so, it MUST be removed--Wikipedia DOES NOT do original research. If not, cite it. As it is, its unclear where it comes from. If not done in the next few days, I'm going to remove the whole section. — Frecklefoot | Talk 20:13, August 8, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Sleep Paralysis and Dredg's album El Cielo

I added the bit about Dredg's album El Cielo. It's a really great, interesting album. I recommend it.

Please don't recommend music in articles that aren't about music. — Frecklefoot | Talk 14:08, August 15, 2005 (UTC)

The whole album is about s.p. A good portion of the lyrics come directly from letters written by people descibing thier experiences with s.p. I'm going to include it in the article. Regardless of what one thinks about the music, it is a good source for information straight from those who have experienced what the article is about.Typhoid Orchid 16:25, 13 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Incubus

Is it truly necessary to have such a lengthy portion about incubi? They are associated with Sleep Paralysis, yet I hardly think it's appropriate to include such a long and tedious history. I personally can't decide how to edit it, but if someone could trim it down a bit I would appreciate it.

I reverted it. Originally it had a "Cultural references" section with discussion on how many cultures interpreted sleep paralysis. Some anon user removed all that info and just changed it into an incubus section, which, as you note, is inappropriate. That information can easily go in the incubus article. — Frecklefoot | Talk 14:08, August 15, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] M. van Veen & Sleep paralysis shows separate states

Some anon user added this section back in. I reverted it. Read why before re-adding it.

Wikipedia is not a place for original research. This includes adding one's own personal experiences. If one can find a reference in a book or a website that states some experiences, it's fine to add. But adding one's personal experiences to an article is inappropriate. That is exactly what that whole section was—someone's personal experience with sleep paralysis.

M. van Veen, the user who added it (non-member, that is his real name), contacted me on my talk page and explained why he added it and how other users altered it. Be that as it may, it was a personal experience or original research, neither of which is allowed on Wikipedia.

I stand by my revert. If you want to add it back in please discuss it here first, not on my Talk page. It is best to get more editors opinions on it than just mine. Wikipedia is a community effort. Thank you. — Frecklefoot | Talk 14:08, August 15, 2005 (UTC)

Not only is it original research, but it seems to deviate significantly from other descriptions of sleep paralysis. I'm going to delete it all together.--TheGrza 20:57, 16 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Lucid dreaming section?

Why does there have to be an exact and non-formatted copy of the lengthy lucid dreaming article here? Couldn't you just link there instead, or write it in a few short paragraphs and explain why it's an important section here? It would make more sense as edits on LD wouldn't have to be made in two places. And that's why we have a separate article on lucid dreaming afterall. I removed it and added a See also section. User:Frecklefoot reverted and told me to see the talk page – but there's nothing relevant here. –Mysid (talk) 05:35, August 16, 2005 (UTC)

Heh, sorry, this is BS. I didn't even look what sections you reverted and what you didn't. My bad! –Mysid (talk) 05:40, August 16, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] J.-C. Lerman, Ph.D., NIH Senior Fellow changes

Let's discuss your changes to the article here. What are the problems you have with the article in its current state? What do you want to change and why? — Frecklefoot | Talk 15:06, September 1, 2005 (UTC)

Unfortunately, Jord jumped in and reverted my revert and then wikified "Lerman"'s edit. In doing so, he uncommented a lot of text that was removed from the article long ago. Let's discuss this, guys, before we get into a full-fledged edit war. — Frecklefoot | Talk 15:39, September 1, 2005 (UTC)
Frecklefoot, as I explained over at AMA Requests for Assistance, I was responding to Lerman's request for help. The problem did not seem apparent to me at the time of my edit, so I was bold in making changes which I thought would rectify the problem but, if not, could easily be resolved by a quick revert. I have emailed Lerman and encouraged him to bring his problems and concerns to the talk page and I do not believe that there is any risk of an edit war. - Jord 17:13, 1 September 2005 (UTC)
I understand what you did and why. My comment was not meant as an attack on you. I hope an edit war does break out. — Frecklefoot | Talk 15:18, September 2, 2005 (UTC)
Is that a typo or did you intend to say "I hope an edit war does breakout"? - Jord 15:24, 2 September 2005 (UTC)
Yes, typo. Does NOT was my intent. <nowiki></nowiki>&mdash; [[User:Frecklefoot|Frecklefoot]] | [[User talk:Frecklefoot|Talk]] 02:29, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Sleep paralysis and REM atonia

The intro says that the term "sleep paralysis" is used for both the normal paralaysis during REM sleep, and the pathological paralysis after waking up or before falling asleep. It then goes on to mention the term "awareness during sleep paralysis".

I didn't know the terminology in the field, so I believed our article. Recently someone alerted me to the fact that our terminology is non-standard. I investigated: MeSH defines "sleep paralysis" as "A common condition characterized by transient partial or total paralysis of skeletal muscles and areflexia that occurs upon awakening from sleep or less often while falling asleep. [...] The pathophysiology of this condition is closely related to the normal hypotonia that occur during REM sleep." [2] A search in PubMed reveals that the term "sleep paralysis" is used in the medical literature excusively in this sense. Furthermore, a google search shows that the phrase "awareness during sleep paralysis" is not used on .edu sites, and appears to be promoted solely by the web site trionica.com. I don't know what their agenda is, but we should not adopt their neologisms.

So I edited accordingly and directed the reader to our article on REM sleep for the explanation of REM atonia. AxelBoldt 17:26, 23 October 2005 (UTC)


[edit] experiences

i have over 25 yrs experienced 100s of regular sleep paralysis- 95% of the time it always occurs in the morning, it is very intimidating and frightining. it is simply a feeling of compltete and utter physical weakness , and although i have an active intrest in the paranormal -there is NO indication at all of anything remotely supernatural, shadowy figures or incubus occuring ever in 25 years. intrestingly, according to my mom ,as a baby i was nearly suffocated by my brother who covered me in too many blankets, i discussed this with a psychologist as to a possible reason for my SP and i was very disappointed with her complete indifference and lack of proffesional curiosity. t ali 22/02/06

I had a few sleep paralysis episodes in my childhood - I think I was probably around five or six years old when they occurred. I am 32 years of age now, but I have a clear recollection of them and I remember that I found them tremendously frightening at the time. I think this is a very interesting phenomenon, and it wouldn't surprise me if it is more widespread than commonly known. Personally I kept quiet about my experiences until I - far into my adulthood - happened to learn about sleep paralysis as a clinical disorder. Jonas Liljeström 16:45, 6 April 2006 (UTC)


Ugh. I remember when I had them. I just lied there in bed, and I couldn't open my eyes or move my body. I just sat there, terrified, trying to move in the complete darkness. Once I sat there for what seemed like hours before someone finally shook me. Sometimes it would be in an open area, like the couch, and sometimes it would be in the middle of the night. Nonetheless, it was extremely frightning. I'm glad someone can relate. 68.190.51.8 04:12, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

I've definitely had the hallucinations (auditory and visual) along with this, and it was quite terrifing. Really sticks in your mind. — Laura Scudder ☎ 15:44, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

I had three of them once within a few minutes before going to sleep on Christmas day... Yep, that sucked. I got up early enough around (6ish) got my presents then went back to sleep because I was so tired. Then three of them in a row. I didnt see anything but I did hear a voice (like the whispers in lost) in my left ear. Now its around 3:46 and I dont want to go to sleep because I know ill get one again... --ISeeDeadPixels 03:46, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sleep Walking?

if paralysis occurs when one is sleeping, then does the explaination for sleep walking having something to do with your body not going into paralysis?


  • I have heard that that is the case, yes. With sleepwalkers, paralysis is not fully implemented during dreaming, and so the dreamer partly acts out their dream by walking.

An experience I sometimes get, one that I can't find fully described anywhere on Wiki, is, on occasions where I'm lying in bed tired but just can't get to sleep (you know what I mean), all of a sudden my body will paralyse, I'll get a tingling sensation all over, and I'll feel myself being 'dragged' into sleep and straight into a dream. It's almost like fainting, I suppose.

Anyone else ever experienced this? Martyn Smith 23:33, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

I have experienced this countless times in my life. The last times it was happening to me was when I was in college and would fall asleep in one of the study cubicles, with my neck bent in a wierd position. I would usually fall into sleep and then all of a sudden "wake up", but only my mind would wake up and not my body. Sometimes my eyes would be open and I could see. I could see people waking by and inside I was struggling with all my might to lift my head from the desk. Normally the dissociation of your mind from your motor functions makes you frightened and you just enter this trip where you are fighting to move muscles. And sometimes you get yourself to pop out of it. This occurs with a huge jolt and inhalation of air. You can feel strange sort of chemical reaction going off in your head at that point too the closest feeling to it would be extremely "groggy".

It is odd, 2 of my friends when I growing experienced sleep paralysis. We would all experience hallucinations of same sort. We didn't use the words spiraling tesselated sheet or rotating polyhedra, but we all were seeing these things. My hallucinations have had an auditary dimension to them also. I remember laying on a couch and falling asleep. Then "waking up" and not being able to tell the depth of objects in space, and a feeling of heaviness on the left side of the body and chest. All this time this high-pitch garbling noices are going on. They remind my of the sounds heard when pure-sinusoidal waves are generated with a synth, but they are changing frequency so quickly that they make no sense. That time I fell into sleep after the experience, instead of waking up in a jolt.

I always wondered if it was related to the fact that I would also wake up from dreams that I was drowning or suffocating. But I would actually have my face in the pillow, lying face down, and when I would wake up I would bolt up, finally get my muscles to flip my body so I could breathe. Now that I write this it seems obvious that they are pretty much the same type of experience. But none of my friends experienced suffocation dreams. Weird Huh?

-nick

Not at all. Ive had that suffocating feeling a couple of times when falling asleep or during sleep. Its a symptom of sleep apnoea. You dont have to have sleep apnoea to have it, its just one of the symptoms. --ISeeDeadPixels 02:28, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Maybe a "Techniques" section?

My mum gets this a lot, a shadowy figure over her and such... She used to have it a lot, and of course because you are overwealmed by fear, the instinctive action is to get away... to move away as fast as possible, but that never works.. because you're paralysed. What my mum tried to do (over 6 months ago) is move towards it... and she just described to me that the "spirit" broke... and the thing was over and she was happy.

I mean this is very much a personal thing, but can anyone else confirm this or suggest other techniques?

I have been exeperiencing this kind of paralysis since I was a child. I have told my mother about it and because my family is orthodox she told me to pray whenever this happens or to try to move my tongue making a cross with it. Maybe other people don't believe in God, but the effect of this technique would probably be described by science people like a way of relaxing by thinking that everything will be ok. I have also read a lot of articles and researches which said that whenever the person having an attack managed to move even the slightest muscle, excepting the eyes, the attack would vanish. Trying to move you tongue seems to be easier than trying to move any other muscle.

—— The only technique that ever worked for me was quite non-intuitive; simply try to fall back to sleep. I tried this, and it works quite well. You just have to convince yourself to fall back to sleep, and you will wake up seconds later with no paralysis. I've been able to make sounds during an episode, hoping that my wife would wake me up, but that never worked. The few times she heard something, she said it was just a very quiet moan. Mockdwig 00:04, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Japanese ghosts

how come you wont let the fact about the Japanese think sleep paralysis is caused by ghosts stay on the page? just wondering...

Missing verifiable source with full citation and with indication whether its POV is folklore or pseudoscience. Jclerman 00:43, 2 May 2006 (UTC)
Because not all Japanese people do think that. What are you trying to say here? If there is some traditional folklore/myth that it was due to ghosts (similar to the idea of the hag), then you should state that. Mdwh 10:59, 2 May 2006 (UTC)
PLAINLY SAID: Either include a verifiable source with full citation or delete the statement. Jclerman 11:56, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Needed citations

The first and third sentences marked "Citations Needed" can be found in Volume 3,Issue 1 of [mental_floss] magazine. Is this a proper source? 22:29, July 1, 2006 68.22.78.31

[edit] scariest night

I had an episode of sleep paralysis last night, my scariest one yet. I was awoken by a scary, radio-like voice really close to my ear. It was saying something that I couldn't decifer. I could move my eyes, but nothing else. I tried so hard to move but it was impossible. And it felt like something heavy was on my chest. After a few minutes, I was able to wiggle my toes. Then, I fell back asleep and woke up normally within what seemed like seconds.

Right before the episode, I had a series of dreams. Like one of the above stories, I drank diet coke after 6 pm and listed in the possible causes, I was sleeping in a face up position. Also, every time it happens, I'm sleeping in that position.

Anyway, I'm scared to go to sleep tonight. Aug 02, 2006, by User:207.172.121.60


Well, are you uncomfortable sleeping on your stomach or in the fetal position? That's what I would reccomend you do, though I'm no expert. By the way, have you talked to your doctor about this?69.128.211.45 15:00, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

I had an episode recently when i was drifting off to sleep. I felt pressure in my brain. Its hard to describe but it felt like waves crashing against my brain or cars passing really close to my head, its like a little rush that gives you a jump and it almost startles you into falling out of bed(anyone else have these?). I have these more often than I have the sleep paralysis but when i have it it usually means im going to have an episode. (I only get that feeling when I close my eyes and when I open them its gone.) The room was really dark and when I had the episode I felt like I saw a dark figure standing on a chair less than 2m away from me I saw a flash of light come up from beneath my blanket and in a couple of minutes/seconds(honestly i dont have a clue) i could move again. Needless to say i was freaked out. I had about 3 more of these within the next 20 mins, it felt like i was bound and gagged and the only way of getting out of it was to concentrate on moving my feet. I think the problem was i was out all night and got to bed at 3. I was really tired during lectures all morning and had to have a quick 2 hour nap between lectures, thats when i had the episodes. Naps are evil! ;) --ISeeDeadPixels 22:40, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Mention of OBE's

I think some mention of out of body experiences is appropriate for this article. Rather than applying a ridiculous spiritual or non-scientific explanation to sleep paralysis as was previously done, I believe the article should merely state that the symptoms of sleep paralysis are nearly identical to the precursors of obe's and parts of the experience itself.(numbness, tingling, visual/auditory hallucination) Surely there is an important connection to be made and highlighted there. With a lack of physical sensory input, the body seems to compensate through other means. If lucid dreaming is worthy of mention, certainly obe's are. The level of consciousness people report during obe's is much more akin to sleep paralysis(being fully awake as in normal life) than sleep paralysis is to dreaming, lucid or not. Any thoughts on this?

--A.Lynn 05:38, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I second that. A note of the Astral Projection phenomenon would also be appropriate, seeing Sleep Paralysis is the vital part of spiritual students attempting to Astral Project out of their bodies. One of the steps, so to say. Clockword 13:54, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removed quackery

Removed the spiritual science paragraph because the term is an oxymoron and because the paragraph presented this quackery as fact.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 192.38.5.162 (talk • contribs) .

Have reinserted the content as it is a referenced alternative insight. Your edit is unsigned. Knowledge for All 11:45, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

If someone else had not already removed the comment and links again, I would have done so. You cannot present outrageous statements like the ones the paragraph contained as fact. Calling it an "alternative insight" simply means you think it is insigtful and that you know other people disagree (and we do!). It does not make it any less controversial. Take a look at the "cultural references" section for how to describe controversial stuff like that in a more acceptable manner.

192.38.5.162 15:43, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copyright violation?

The linked article on www.skepdic.com is identical to a paragraph in the wikipedia article. The Skeptic's Dictionary entry on Sleep Paralysis

[edit] Cite your references

Someone keeps putting "extreme cases of sleep paralysis can last more than 5 hours" back into the article. If you don't cite your sources it will be deleted, there is no evidence i have found in medical journals of SP cases lasting more than a few minutes at most. If this is your own research then maybe you might consider publishing it for study and then it would be citeable, but as it is it seems unlikely. --ISeeDeadPixels 16:38, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Plus, it might be impossible to determine how long these episodes last since:
  1. It's almost impossible for the victim to determine the duration since their sense of time/space is completely distorted
  2. It's usually impossible for an outside observer to determine that a subject is suffering from this condition.
I can't see how it could ever be verified. Some episodes might seem to last that long, but I bet a few minutes is tops. — Frecklefoot | Talk 17:31, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Causes

The last in possible causes "artifical sleeping aids or antihistimines" could be more generic or more specific. Maybe more clear would be "certain drugs or medications such as artifical sleeping aids or antihistimines...". Excellent article, by the way! --Eurlim 05:57, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Moved from top

the first time i ever had one of weird dreams were i could not move or speak but could hear everthing around me going on i was only 12 we never had soda as kids or sugar hardly ever it was water or milk in my house and no sugar so i dont think it has anything to do with that still have there dreams and when they are doing something to me wile i lie there it hurts real bad and still hurts for hours after explaine that one now my daughter is going threw this and when she has it i have them too but this time i did something different i put salt next to my bed now i have nothing i think something will allways be after me thats what it feels like it makes you crazy i dont think its just a dream and i never will no matter what other people say this is real and will be real theres so much more to this im 45 when will it end —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.250.46.90 (talk • contribs) 16:02, 29 January 2007.

[edit] Shared Memory?

I just had First Aid class in school and he told me about this sleep paralysis thing, so I came here. He said that the "Old Hag" was some sort of "Shared Memory" between people of all races. I don't see anything like this in this article. -Occono.

SciFi. It's in the genes. Jclerman 16:24, 2 March 2007 (UTC)
Find a reliable source and you can cite it. Anecdotes do not suffice.--Drat (Talk) 13:27, 2 March 2007 (UTC)
Someone's been watching too much Stargate -- 12.116.162.162 17:26, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] astral projection

Is sleep paralysis a state you have to enter befor you can astral travel? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 76.108.225.216 (talk) 18:02, 28 March 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Drug use

The only time I ever experienced sleep paralysis was when I was coming down off of Ecstasy (MDMA). However, Ecstasy is not just MDMA, but many different drugs all in one pill.

Cody 08:23, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

I have reverted your addition, as it is original research.--Drat (Talk) 11:55, 18 April 2007 (UTC)


[edit] To move again without waiting

From what I've seen, most people think you just have to wait, but when this happens to me all I have to do is concentrate really hard and jerk a part of my body like my arm, after I do that I can instantly move again. --CHEESEWHIZ 06:18, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Also, If someone could figure out a good way to add this to the article, I think it may help quite a few people who have it and look here for information. --CHEESEWHIZ 06:20, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Unless you can find a study proving this method, it can't be added. This is original research. Absentis 10:50, 12 June 2007 (UTC)


I know it works because I do it, but I guess I'll see what I can find --CHEESEWHIZ 12:23, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

http://sleepdisorders.about.com/cs/hallucinations/a/terrorparalysis.htm ,"I finally get a finger to wiggle, or I manage to jerk my leg. I drag in a deep breath of air, and I'm fine again. The paralysis is gone", 4th paragraph

http://therapistunlimited.com/rehabs/Articles/Disorders+&+Disease/Sleep+Paralysis "I had to jerk before I could move"

4th comment


I'm not sure if that's enough for you, so I'll keep looking I suppose--CHEESEWHIZ 21:39, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Alternate Explanations

Has anyone considered listing alternate explanations for the phenomenon? I got redirected here from "Old Hag Syndrome", which I see as a problem, since this article is about a neurological condition that is not accepted by everyone as explaining old hag attacks. In fact, I see attempts by others to express this very thought by making edits (which seem to have been removed, justifiably, for poor articulation, etc.)

While it's true that the explanations given by different cultures are mentioned in the section about names, the bulk of the article gives the impression that the neurobiological explanation is universally accepted today, when that isn't the case. I would say that about half the people I've asked think the attacks are in fact caused by a malevolent spirit, and see old hag attacks as distinct from, though related to, sleep paralysis as such. It might be good to at the very least mention that sleep paralysis as an explanation for old hag syndrome is disputed.--Bananasandramen 01:01, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Edited out by Laurascudder, see article's history

  • In Newfoundland and other parts of North America, sleep paralysis is referred to as a visit from the "old hag" (Irish: Ag Rog).
  • In Chinese folk culture, sleep paralysis is referred as "gǔi yà chúang" (鬼压床,鬼壓床), literally: "Ghost press bed": 鬼: ghost, 压: press, 床: bed. The belief is that a spirit or ghost is sitting or lying on top of the sleeping individual, causing the sleep paralysis. This is thought to be a minor body possession by the forces from the dead which doesn't usually cause any harm to the victim.
  • In Japan, sleep paralysis is referred to as kanashibari (金縛り, literally "bound or fastened in metal," from kane "metal" and shibaru "to bind, to tie, to fasten").
  • In Thailand, this condition is said to be caused by a spirit or "pee um" (ผีอำ) which sits or lie atop of the victim causing him or her to be immobile. The spirit causes no harm to the victim and is said to only be playing pranks.
  • In Scandinavian mythology, sleep paralysis was caused by a Mara, or mare - a kind of malignant female wraith who is responsible for nightmares. She appears as early as in the Norse Ynglinga saga, but the belief itself is probably even older. "Mara" is the Old Norse, Swedish and Icelandic name, "mare" is Norwegian and Danish.
  • In Mexico, as Se subio el muerto (the dead has climbed on top).
  • In Greek, as demonokavalikema (in Greek: δαιμονοκαβαλήκεμα), which refers to a demon having climbed on top of the body.
  • In German as Hexendrücken (witch pressing).
  • In Turkish, as karabasan (literally: "dark presser": kara: "dark/black":, basan: "pusher, presser". Most Turkish people believe that it's a metaphysical incident, and especially religious people believe that it's a jini that causes the discomfort; so generally some kind of prayer is advised).
  • In Hazaragi, as Shazia Zer Kado (pressing ink).
  • In the Southern United States, people have described it as "The witch riding your back".
  • In the Western United States, the Sleep Paralysis is commonly called "Scissor Lock".
  • In Korea, it is referred as Gawinullim, (가위눌림) literally in English: "To be pressed by Gawi." The meaning of Gawi is clear, generally known to mean "spirits" or "demons." Another word in Korean "Gawi" is a homonym that means "scissors". Such occurrences are usually referenced as "scissor lock" in English.[citation needed]
  • In Indonesia, Javanese people call it tindihan, spelled traditionally as "tindhihen" (To be laid upon). Also in Sundanese, people call it ereup-ereup.
  • In the Philippines, Sleep paralysis is often associated with Bangungot.
  • In Malaysia, known as "kena himpap", meaning being pressed down.
  • In Vietnam, sleep paralysis is known as "ma đè", meaning a ghost or spirit lying on top of or pressing down on the person.
  • In the West Indies, being "ridden by a duppy".
  • In medieval times of Europe, attacks of sleep paralysis may have given rise to the belief in mara, incubi, succubi, other demons and witchcraft. People in England believed that witches or hags rode on men's chests as they slept, and the feeling of being unable to breathe was attributed to a hag. This is why people who have had very little sleep may be described as looking "hag-ridden".
  • In traditional Russian belief symptoms reminiscent of sleep paralysis were attributed to the anger of domovoi, the home spirit, punishing people for bad husbandship or betrayal.
  • According to traditional Hmong beliefs, various states of sleep paralysis are thought to be the processes in which an evil spirit or demon sits down on a person usually in retaliation to wrongdoings. Some Hmong have deemed it as the process of getting 'squashed'.
  • Traditional Islamic cultures would usually interpret this as an encounter with a Jinn (or "djinn"); a race of beings, similar to humans which inhabit the earth. The word "jinn" literally means anything which has the connotation of concealment, invisibility, seclusion and remoteness, and is one of the two beings (the other being Human) addressed directly in the Quran. In Islamic text, and scholarship, Jinns are considered beings, which like humans are accountable for their deeds and thus have free will. They are considered to have life and death, society, culture and religion.
  • In Laotian culture, it is called "pee um" translated as "ghost silencing you". The ghost or spirit is thought to visit you in the night, hold your arms and legs down, and even cover your mouth up so that no sound would come out when you scream.
  • In Finnish a nightmare is called painajainen, but literally it means "pressing" and is thought to be originating from sleep paralysis sensory effects.
  • In Hungarian folk culture sleep paralysis is called "lidércnyomás" ("lidérc pressing") and can be attributed to a number of supernatural entities like "lidérc", "boszorkány" (witch), "tündér" (fairy) or "ördögszerető".[1] The word "boszorkány" itself stems from the turkish root "basz-", meaning "to press".[2]
  • In Polish folk culture sleep paralysis is known as "dusiołek", a creature that strangles people in sleep. This creature is a character of a poem by Polish poet Bolesław Leśmian "Dusiołek".
  • New-age practitioners have argued that sleep paralysis might be the point of separation of the "dream body" from the physical body and out-of-body travel then begins.
  • Scientists believe that many supposed occurrences of alien abduction, out-of-body travel, and other seemingly paranormal events may actually be due to misinterpreting the sensory effects of sleep paralysis.

[edit] Disagreement

I really don't see what the harm is in letting facts come back into the article as they are referenced. Otherwise it will likely sit with that {{unreferenced}} tag forever because no one will bother. — Laura Scudder ☎ 05:39, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Confusion

From the recent history:


  • 03:32, July 8, 2007 By Drat: I meant it's not encyclopedic to have a pointer to the talk page. The stuff that's been moved there can stay the hell out until refs appear.


  • By Jclerman: Drat: The references have always been and still are here:[3], or just scroll the hell down.

Jclerman 15:04, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Paralysis when waking up, treatment/explanation?

I was stuck by the mention of sleep paralysis happening more often when sleeping face up. I can remember waking up and feeling like I couldn't move... I wanted to get up, but just couldn't seem to move anything other than my eyes, so.. I just went back to sleep =p I wonder that, in more superficial cases at least, it's just a matter of not wanting to wake up? Does this issue ever occur to anyone when woken up by something that demands an immediate response, like a loud, closeby alarm clock?

It's obviously very hard to understand your own thought processes when just waking up and very sleepy, but I've always tried to understand myself then so I can, for example, learn how to motivate myself to not sleep in. So might this be an accurate way to describe what one is thinking when experiencing sleep paralysis upon waking up?

  • lying on side: symmetry is broken, less chance to feel paralyzed.
  • but lying on back: symmetry. You can't decide which side to roll onto, your brain is too muzzy to think about things like that, and rolling forward into a sitting position simply takes too much effort! Faced with either having to think, having to expend nontrivial effort sitting up, or doing nothing, your brain ends up doing nothing.

Is this consistent with anyone else's observations of their motivational state and physical position when experiencing sleep paralysis upon waking? 74.61.41.118 22:31, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The significance of sleep paralysis?

I have gotten SP many times now (over 20 to date) and lately I've been wondering if there might be some sort of a significance behind them... and if so - then how come not everyone gets them and some people get a lot of them? In each SP episode, I see things that I do not understand (the way I see things, the distortions and symbolism in these visions, the way the sound perception changes, and more), but I've been thinking that if there is something to understand through these episodes... then we surely gotta find that out!20:59, August 7, 2007 207.6.251.49

The rational response is: "There is no significance to the visions, sounds and feelings experienced during sleep paralysis. But, sure, they're usually scary as hell." However, I'm sure there are hundreds of theories as to what they mean and why you must understand what they mean. I'm sure there are as many theories to interpretations as there are ways to interpret dreams. But of course none of these are backed up by any kind of scientific critique. So, pick one that you fancy and interpret your experiences based on it. Or not.
Why do some people get them all the time and others never have them? No idea. Maybe people's brains aren't identical? Me and my daughter get them, but my wife and son never do. As the article mentions, there are some things you can do to help avoid them. So perhaps those that don't experience them naturally avoid the risky factors. — Frecklefσσt | Talk 14:50, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] My experience...

My sleep paralysis was due to a terrifying "Screamer" site experience when I was 13'ish. For about a year and a half, I would see a "Face" (Not the exact one) appear and I'd wake up, paralyzed in fear for quite a period of time. I was too scared to tell my parents. So, I tried to solve the problem myself, and started trying to 'shake' myself awake, starting with my face. It worked, and its ironic to see it as a method in this wiki article. Its the exact same thing I did, but I wasn't told to do it. I just started trying it one night. If anyone is having problems with sleep paralysis, try to train your brain to think of doing that =) Posted by anon 66.139.199.22

Universal experiences for our species. It's in

our genes, that's why each one of us "discovers" the same phenomena and how to react out of them. Jclerman 03:20, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Incubus ? Sleep paralysis ?

Ive been experiencing this very often lately..im seekin for a scientific explanation..i dont realy have beliefs in spirit and demon..but the contents of this pages makes me to think..do they exist ?..im not a fearful person..and im not stressed at the moment..why am i getting all this then ?..i would like to share my experience here..i was sleeping..i had a dream..someone(something) knocked on my door..when i opened the door..i saw no one but a short white figure..it tried to come into my room..and i was trying to close the door..i got scared n tried to wake from sleep..that is when i was paralysed..n i saw the white figure beside my bed..holding my hand..i couldn get up..voice out..i felt as dho something heavy was lying on my body..it last for almost 30 seconds..when i got up..i felt strengthless..since that incident..im not sleeping well..thinking of seeing a doctor..

[edit] Sleep paralysis and me...

Incubus ? Sleep paralysis ?

Ive been experiencing this very often lately..im seekin for a scientific explanation..i dont realy have beliefs in spirit and demon..but the contents of this pages makes me to think..do they exist ?..im not a fearful person..and im not stressed at the moment..why am i getting all this then ?..i would like to share my experience here..i was sleeping..i had a dream..someone(something) knocked on my door..when i opened the door..i saw no one but a short white figure..it tried to come into my room..and i was trying to close the door..i got scared n tried to wake from sleep..that is when i was paralysed..n i saw the white figure beside my bed..holding my hand..i couldn get up..voice out..i felt as dho something heavy was lying on my body..it last for almost 30 seconds..when i got up..i felt strengthless..since that incident..im not sleeping well..thinking of seeing a doctor..