Write Up:Student presentations
Sleep Paralysis ( Sleep Atonia)
Bianca Diopa
Mind and Body 1201
Professor Hearn
3/13/20
What is Sleep Paralysis/Sleep Atonia ?
Sleep Atonia (sleep paralysis) is the feeling being conscious but not able to move. During sleep paralysis your body is asleep, but your mind is still active.
For years doctors have wondered, what exactly causes sleep paralysis and why do so many experience this? and till this day it is still unclear. During the state of sleep paralysis many report similar experiences such as being able to see yourself asleep and the room around you but not being able to move their body. Some even report seeing figures around their body and struggling to breathe.
History
Starting from 2000 BC ancient Mesopotamia all the way up to the Roman empire many believed that a demon was causing sleep paralysis. A demon known as the incubus was believed to sit on your chest as slept preventing you from moving away. He would taunt people with terrible nightmares.
Though science may not have any clear answers the medical community now believes that sleep paralysis is caused by some physical condition for example extreme stress, sleeping positions, lack of sleep, or sleeping disorders. However, some still believe that a demon or some force beyond our comprehension haunts at night.
Those who believe in the spiritual believe that older souls or those who have more control of their third eye or crown charka can see high dimensional begins in this state. It’s believed that when experiencing this your soul leaving your body and entering new dimensions. However, neither of these can be confirmed and no one’s still knows why exactly we experience sleep paralysis
Inspiration
What inspired me to choose this topic was a mix of curiosity and personal experience. Though its been a while, I used experience sleep paralysis. I have only experienced it at least four times but I can say that it is a scary experience. I remember seeing myself lying in bed and feeling like someone was choking me. When I woke, I just sat there wondering, what just happened. Ever since then I’ve been curious on topic and believe that the research Ill be doing for this project can help answer my questions.
Mind and Body Connection
During sleep paralysis your mind is conscious, but your body is unable to move. Many experience hallucinations and some may start hearing things that aren’t really there. I believe that sleep paralysis has a strong connection with the mind. During sleep paralysis something called rapid eye movement (REM) occurs. While REM is active a part of our brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which controls our ability to plan and think logically, turns off. Therefore, it is common for people to start hallucinating.
What I learned
From completing this project I’ve learned a few new things about sleep paralysis. I’ve learned more about how sleep paralysis affects the brain and how common it actually is. Four out of every ten people have experienced sleep paralysis. However, if experiencing it too often this can be signs of serious issue one should see their doctor for. I also didn’t know that those who experience sleep paralysis can be experiencing thigs like lack of sleep or extreme stress.
Citations
Jaffray, Sarah. “The Cures and Demons of Sleep Paralysis.” Wellcome Collection, 2017, wellcomecollection.org/articles/W9beDBIAAHu08EVG.
Kathleen Davis, FNP. “Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Symptoms, and Tips.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 24 May 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295039.
Hernandez, Dominic. “Sleep Paralysis: Fully Awake and Unable to Move.” Vital Record, 4 Oct. 2018, vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/sleep-paralysis/.