5 Spooky Sleep Paralysis Interpretations | Sleep Hub

You wake up, but you can’t move. A high-pitched white noise is ringing in your ears and you’re finding it difficult to breathe. You try to sit up, but something evil is holding you down. And it won’t let go.

The description above sounds like a scene from a horror movie. But it isn’t. Instead, it explains a typical episode of sleep paralysis, a terrifying sleep condition which affects 4 in 10 of us at some point in our lives (1). So terrifying in fact, this universal phenomenon has taken on a supernatural dimension in countries and continents across the world. But what is sleep paralysis and what causes it?

The science behind sleep paralysis

According to the NHS, sleep paralysis is the temporary inability to move or speak that happens when you're waking up or falling asleep. While not harmful, episodes of paralysis can last anywhere between a few seconds to a couple of minutes, often leaving you frightened to go back to sleep (2).

Science says episodes of sleep paralysis happen when the brain cannot transition smoothly between sleep cycles. This occurs most frequently when the brain bypasses the non-REM sleep cycle, skipping straight to the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep cycle where the sleeping brain is most active and dreaming, but the muscles in the body are paralysed. It is during this stage where the sleeper will often wake up, finding themselves conscious but unable to move (3).

While the exact cause of sleep paralysis remains elusive, some studies suggest a link between sleep deprivation or irregular sleep schedules, such as jet lag or doing an all-nighter (4). Sleep paralysis is also linked to social anxiety, panic disorders and narcolepsy – a long term condition that causes people to fall asleep suddenly at inappropriate times (5).

Universal phenomenon

With so much mystery surrounding the sleep disorder, it’s no wonder many societies still point to the supernatural or folklore to explain their experience with sleep paralysis. Here’s 5 of the spookiest sleep paralysis interpretations from around the world.

Scandinavia

In Scandinavian folklore, sleep paralysis is said to be caused by a mare, a “female evil spirit thought to lie upon and suffocate sleepers.” According to such folklore, the spirit visits her victims in the night, taking the form of sand so she can sneak into their house through keyholes or cracks in the wall. The spirit then transforms into a young woman who then proceeds to terrorize her victim by sitting on their chest and smothering them. So terrifying where these episodes, we still talk about mares today. The word ‘nightmare’, which derives from the Old English word “mare”, was first coined to describe sleep paralysis, until it become a catch-all term for bad dreams.

Mexico

In Mexico, “subirse el muerto” which roughly translates as “a dead body climbed on top of me” is a common expression used to describe the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. A study conducted in 2009 found that more than 90% of Mexican adolescents where familiar with the term, which originates from Mexican folklore, while more than 25% had experienced sleep paralysis themselves.

Spain

In Spain’s Catalonia region, the Pesanta is a monster that takes the form of an enormous black dog with paws of steel. Legend states that the Pesanta lives in the abandoned churches or ruins of Catalonia, only coming out at night to terrorize people in their homes while they sleep. Often people will wake up to the Pesanta sitting on their chest, suffocating them. When confronted, the monster escapes so fast you can only see its shadow.

China

In China and the Far East, episodes of sleep paralysis are known as “ghost oppression”, which stems from the ancient Chinese belief that an individual’s soul is vulnerable to evil spirits while they sleep. The first record of ghost oppression can be found in the earliest Chinese dictionary, dating back to the Eastern Han dynasty around AD30 to AD124.

St Lucia

Similarly, the interpretation in St Lucia is that sleep paralysis is caused by the spirits or ghosts of dead children who would try to strange you while you slept. Known as “kokma”, urban legend suggests such spirits are the souls of unbaptized or stillborn children.

Sleep paralysis FAQs

What is sleep paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon where a person is temporarily unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It often involves a feeling of being awake but immobile. And sometimes it is also accompanied by vivid hallucinations and a sense of pressure on your chest.

Why do people often associate sleep paralysis with supernatural occurrences?

Sleep paralysis can also includes some very intense and realistic hallucinations. These hallucinations can also include seeing shadowy figures or feeling a presence in your bedroom. Combing this with an inability to move, sleep paralysis can be very frightening. As such, some people do interpret an episode of sleep paralysis as being a supernatural or paranormal event.

What are some common spooky interpretations of sleep paralysis?

Common spooky interpretations include:

Visits from demons: Many cultures believe sleep paralysis to be caused by demonic entities sitting on or suffocating the person suffering the experience.

The paranormal: Some people see the feeling of presence as ghosts or spirits trying to make contact with the living.
Alien abductions: In modern folklore, sleep paralysis experiences have sometimes been linked to alien abductions, with the paralysis being due to the person experiencing the symptoms being the subject of alien experiments.
Shadow people: The shadowy figures seen by some during sleep paralysis episodes can be described as "shadow people" (aka malevolent beings believed to observe or harm the sleeper).
Witchcraft: In past times, sleep paralysis was sometimes blamed on witches or sorcery - here the paralysis is seen as a curse or spell.

Is there a scientific explanation for sleep paralysis?

Yes, sleep paralysis happens when you wake up before the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep cycle is complete. During REM sleep, our bodies are paralysed to prevent acting out dreams (6). If you wake up before the paralysis ends, you could become aware of your surroundings, but will still be unable to move.

How can I differentiate between sleep paralysis and supernatural experiences?

Understanding the scientific basis of sleep paralysis can help you to understand the difference between an episode and a supernatural experience. If you are able to recognise the key sings of sleep paralysis - so, when you experience sleep paralysis (during falling asleep or waking up) and the types of common hallucinations and experiences (shadowy figures and pressure on your chest) - you'll be able to better frame the experience in a scientific context.

Can sleep paralysis be prevented or treated?

While there is no way to guarantee the prevention of sleep paralysis, sticking to a regular sleep schedule, taking steps to reduce your stress levels, and working to improve your sleep hygiene can help reduce the frequency of occurrences. If you're suffering sleep paralysis on a regular basis, or you have severely distressing experiences with it, we'd recommend getting in touch with your GP. They may be able to offer some personalised strategies or treatments to help you manage the condition more effectively.

Sources:

1. Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention (webmd.com)
2. Sleep paralysis - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
3. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases...
4. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/sleep-paral...
5. https://www.anxietycentre.com/faq/can-anxiety-caus...
6. Here's what paralyzes you during sleep (nbcnews.com)