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| The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) |
Sleep paralysis is when you are awake and conscious and awake but can't move you're body. This usually occurs when falling asleep or waking. When you sleep, your body is relaxed and kept still because of a brain process known as atonia. This happens during REM sleep so we don't physically act out our dreams while sleeping. Sleep paralysis is when you are experiencing REM atonia but are awake and aware. Most people are frightened by the sudden immobility and experience hallucinations, mostly malicious beings, sounds, or energies. Many feel an evil energy standing on their chest.
I know many people who have experienced this. It is extremely interesting and no real theories explain it.
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