sleep paralysis

Misadventures of a Chronic Dreamer

Jensen Estridge 

@jensechu

What is Sleep paralysis?

 

Temporary inability to move,  speak, or react

 

Auditory,  spacial,  and visual hallucinations

 

Panic

How does Sleep paralysis occur?

 

Muscles achieve atonic state during REM before brain enters REM simulating full body paralysis while conscious

normal function

Sleep paralysis

= FLIGHT OR FIGHT!

Panicked Feeling

 

Thalamus sends it normal sensory input that is not being filtered as non-life threatening

 

 

Amygdala responsible for managing sense of smell, emotional behavior, and motivation

sleep paralysis simulates

 

Alien abductions

 

INTENSE Panic

 

Suffocation 

 

'Evil' Intruder

causes of sleep paralysis

 

Problems with melatonin regulation

 

Sleep apnea

 

Depression

 

Erratic sleep schedules

 

Narcolepsy and other sleep-related disorders

 

SLEEPING ON YOUR BACK (SUPINE)

The Nightmare, Henry Fuseli 1781

sleep paralysis field guide

 

Think about your immediate physical surroundings

 

Assess if your perceived reality seems rational*

 

Avoid starring into the distance

 

Focus on moving your facial muscles then extremities

 

Make sure your environment is void of unfamiliar stimuli 

 

IT GETS EASIER EVERY TIME