What Is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It occurs when consciousness returns before REM muscle paralysis ends—terrifying but not dangerous.

Psychological Context

During REM sleep, your body is paralyzed to prevent acting out dreams. Sleep paralysis happens when you become conscious before this paralysis lifts. Hallucinations often accompany it because you're still partially in dream state. While terrifying, it's a normal sleep phenomenon, not supernatural. Stress, irregular sleep, and sleeping on your back increase likelihood. The Wakefully app helps track sleep paralysis episodes to identify triggers.

Practical Reflection: During an episode

Focus on small movements—wiggling a finger or toe. Try to calm your breathing and remind yourself it's temporary and harmless. The paralysis will pass within seconds to minutes.

FAQ

Why do I see figures during sleep paralysis?

The 'intruder' hallucination is extremely common—your brain is still dreaming while you're partially awake. Fear activates threat detection, creating menacing figures. They're not real.

How can I prevent sleep paralysis?

Maintain regular sleep schedule, manage stress, avoid sleeping on your back, and limit alcohol/caffeine. Episodes decrease with better sleep hygiene.

Is sleep paralysis dangerous?

No—while terrifying, it's not physically harmful. It's a normal sleep phenomenon experienced at an inconvenient moment. It always passes on its own.

Decode Your Dreams with Wakefully

The Wakefully app helps you track sleep patterns and understand night experiences. Download for iOS | Download for Android