Many people have experienced sleep paralysis, also known as "sleep paralysis." What is this phenomenon?

Reporter Jinsha/Translation

Many people have experienced nightmares. Some people wake up in the middle of the night every few days, feeling numb all over except for their eyes. They can't move a single muscle, have difficulty breathing, feel as if a heavy object is pressing on their chest, and can see a shadow dressed in black slowly emerging in the corner of their eye.

To put it simply,It means being conscious but unable to move your body. This condition was traditionally called "sleep paralysis" or "being haunted by a ghost," and is now known as "sleep paralysis."。

The occurrence of sleep paralysisThere are many social and psychological factors.A 2011 report, which synthesized data from 35 research projects and more than 36,000 volunteers, found that 7.61 TP3T of the general population had experienced sleep paralysis; in high-risk groups, such as students whose sleep patterns were disrupted, the rate rose to 28.31 TP3T; and among people suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, the rate reached 31.91 TP3T.

SleepThree to four stages of slow eye movement (slow eye movement, SEM).,andA stage of rapid eye movement (REM).Although people can dream at any stage, dreams during rapid eye movement are the most vivid, and the brain is also most active, almost as much as during the day.During this period, people automatically experience muscle paralysis, possibly to prevent them from performing actions they might be doing in their sleep, which could lead to accidents.。

Many people in this state can move as soon as they open their eyes, but those with sleep paralysis cannot move even after waking up. The paralysis lasts from a few seconds to a minute for most people, while a very small number need 10 to 15 minutes to recover.

As for the ghostly figures seen in the corners of the eyes, the scientific community has yet to find an explanation. According to research from the University of California, San Diego, it may be that the amygdala in the brain, which is responsible for generating fear, is overactive, sending a "danger!" signal to the body. In order to relieve the stress caused by fear, the parietal lobe, which controls hallucinations, creates frightening images even when there is no actual danger, so that the body can relax after the stress is relieved.

In 1999, a study on sleep paralysis categorized hallucinations seen during sleep paralysis into three types: nightmares, intruders, and abnormal bodily sensations.

In the first type of nightmare, the patient feels a heavy pressure on their chest and can barely breathe.However, sleep paralysis only affects sensation and does not change the spontaneity of breathing, so there is no actual lack of oxygen. During REM sleep, breathing becomes shallow and the airway narrows, naturally causing a feeling of difficulty breathing.

The second type is the intruder.People with sleep paralysis see or hear terrifying presences, often simultaneously with nightmares; both are related to the amygdala in the brain, which controls fear. They may feel as if someone is strangling them with a rope or choking them, preventing them from breathing.

The third type of hallucination is an abnormal bodily sensation.This is rare; usually, one feels like they are floating in the air or flying around the room. This phenomenon is likely related to the activity levels of the brainstem, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and vestibular center during deep sleep.

While sleep paralysis can be hereditary, it can occur in anyone. Factors such as sleep deprivation, sleep disturbances, jet lag, and night shift work can increase the incidence of sleep paralysis, and it is also common in Africans.

Sleep paralysis has been linked to high blood pressure, seizures, and narcolepsy. Stress, anxiety, and depression also frequently contribute to its occurrence. So, besides reducing stress and getting enough sleep, are there other ways to prevent sleep paralysis?

According to the experts' research findings,Avoiding lying on your back may be effectivePeople who sleep on their backs are 3 to 4 times more likely to experience sleep paralysis than others. If that doesn't work,Concentrate all your energy on moving your fingers or toes; even just moving a single muscle can break the shackles of sleep paralysis.。

Article source:Epoch Times e-newspaper