Sleep Paralysis
What is sleep paralysis?
Sleep paralysis refers to a condition, where on waking, one feels that your muscles are paralyzed, one can't move or talk. It is usual for us, under normal circumstances to be paralyzed in REM sleep, rapid eye movement sleep. That is a normal, physiological condition. So we are normally paralyzed during REM sleep. Occasionally, when we awake from REM sleep, the paralysis from REM sleep does not stop. It continues into wakefulness. And that is in essence what sleep paralysis is. Sleep paralysis is generally a benign condition and can easily be treated with a short course of melatonin medication. It tends to resolve spontaneously in a significant number of people.
Can sleep paralysis have long term effects?
There are a small group of people who have what is known as terrifying sleep paralysis, or TSP. This occurs because the sleep paralysis is recurring almost nightly and again, very easily treated with a short course of serotonin type medication.
Does sleep paralysis affect many people?
About one in five of us has experienced sleep paralysis at least once in our lifetime. About three percent of the population have terrifying sleep paralysis.
At what stage of sleep does sleep paralysis occur?
Sleep paralysis occurs out of REM or 'rapid eye movement' sleep.
How can you treat sleep paralysis?
Sleep paralysis can be treated by using serotonergic medication for a short period of time.
What is happening to the brain during sleep paralysis?
Sleep paralysis occurs when one does not come out of REM sleep when you awake from sleep. So it is one component of REM sleep that remains active despite you waking up from sleep.