Feeling ghosts pressing on your bed? Or waking up unable to move? When you sense something in the room near your bed, despite your fright, you can’t cry out, run, or scream. You’re frozen with fear. This experience is like nightmares, which is known as sleep paralysis demon.
What is Sleep Paralysis Demon?
Sleep paralysis demon is a medical condition where you’re stuck in a state somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. In this state, you will have some awareness of your surroundings, though you’re still experiencing the paralysis of REM sleep and are therefore unable to move.
In short, your brain wakes up while the rest of your body remains unconscious. During the dreaming stage of sleep, your muscles relax beyond your control. If you are conscious of your mental state while dreaming, you will have a feeling of paralysis.
What Causes Sleep Paralysis Demon?
According to a research, about 8 percent of people will experience sleep paralysis demon at some point, and 75% of sleep paralysis episodes involve hallucinations that are distinct from typical dreams.
Researchers believe sleep paralysis demon is caused by a disrupted REM cycle. It can occur when falling into or coming out of REM sleep. Factors that may be linked to sleep paralysis demon include:
- Lack of sleep
- Changes of sleep schedule
- Sleeping on the back
- Mental conditions such as stress or bipolar disorder
- Use of certain medications such as those for ADHD
- Other sleep problems such as narcolepsy or leg cramps
How to Get Rid of Sleep Paralysis Demon?
Many experts suggest that people who suffer from this condition maintain a regular bedtime schedule strictly. Research finds that an irregular sleep or wake cycle may be a cause for sleep paralysis demon. If you are experiencing frequent disruptions in your slumber, here are some tips that might work:
- Improve sleep habits and ensure six to eight hours of sleep each night
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed
- Avoid sleeping on your back
- Try to relax and breathe normally
- Concentrate on moving one small muscle such as a finger
- Treat mental health problems that may contribute to sleep paralysis
- Use antidepressant medication to help regulate sleep cycles
- Treat other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or leg cramps
There’s no need to be afraid of ghosts pressing on bed at night. If you occasionally suffer from sleep paralysis demon, you can take steps to control the disorder.
Conclusion
Sleep paralysis demon is relatively common, although the sensations experienced during sleep paralysis can be scary, frightening and even threatening, it just a cruel trick of the brain and merely the continuation of the dream you were having. Take a deep breath, meditate and remember it’s a glitch in your sleep cycle.
