I think I had my first sleep paralysis experience 2 nights ago. I woke up around 4am, and I couldn’t move my body.
This wasn’t the first time something like this happened—I’ve had hypokalemic paralysis (this is a condition that disables you from moving because of potassium deficiency). About 5 years ago, I woke up one morning and could barely move. Fortunately, I was rescued and diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I’m taking meds and have regularly check ups, so this shouldn’t be an issue..
However, I experience something similar recently—I couldn’t move my body when I woke up… but the sensation was different. After about 5-10 seconds, I was able to move again. After reading up about it, I think I experienced sleep paralysis. Basically, the brain releases acetylcholine which prevents the body from moving during sleep.
Anyone else go through this?
This happened to me exactly once in high school. Pretty much how you described it: woke up, couldn’t move at all at first, but soon regained control. I remember being more fascinated by the sensation than panicked.
i think i had that once too…one day i had this really relaxing, calming dream where i was flying through clouds to a really bright warm light. then i felt like something was wrong so i woke up and couldnt move, but my panic was driven from the fact that i wasnt breathing lol seriously when i was finally breathing i could friggin hear my heartbeat
…
btw that demon picture on that wiki is pretty hilarious lol
about 25% of the population has gone thru it… probably more since most don’t know there is a term applied to it called #SleepParalysis there is a scientific explanation and a spiritual one to solve the problem… http://www.facebook.com/SleepParalysis is a great page to see other peoples experience.. we aren’t alone…
Oh wow, I feel much better. Thanks for all the info guys. It was a fascinating experience. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again!
–> hypnagogia
happened to my aunt – she felt as if she was being suffocated/crushed by this shadowed image with red eyes. she could not move or yell. she thought it was supernatural only because my cousin told my family that she used the weegie board in that room that my aunt slept in.
my mom had it happen to her before. she felt children licking her face and feet, and she could hear laughing, but could not move.
this has happened to me before, but only the paralysis part. usually only last a few seconds and i’d fall back asleep.
i didn’t realize so many people have experienced it.