--- title: Is it a Ghost, or Just Sleep Paralysis? description: Have you ever woken up at night unable to move? This frightening experience actually has a logical explanation. image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/sleep-paralysis-nightmare-paralyzed.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [Is it a Ghost, or Just Sleep Paralysis?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/is-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) May 30, 2015 8:00:00 AM ![sleep-paralysis-nightmare-paralyzed](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sleep-paralysis-nightmare-paralyzed.jpg?width=365&name=sleep-paralysis-nightmare-paralyzed.jpg) You've crawled into bed ready for a good night's sleep. You begin to nod off, but haven't completely fallen asleep yet. That's 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 known as sleep paralysis**.  # I Can't Move: The Immobilizing Effects of Sleep Paralysis  Sleep paralysis is a condition in which a person is mentally conscious but physically unable to move. It is sometimes accompanied by hallucinations of frightening invaders in the bedroom. The result is a scary, almost nightmarish experience of sensing an intruder but being unable to respond. Thankfully, this is nothing more than the product of a half-awake brain.  ## When does sleep paralysis occur? Sleep paralysis occurs when a person is just falling asleep or waking up. During these transitions, you may find that you are unable to move or speak for a few seconds or as long as several minutes.  Some people sweat, or even have a sense of choking and being unable to breathe.  The key to this paralyzed sensation is the transition into or out of deep REM sleep. ## Why does sleep paralysis occur?  As you are sleeping, your body alternates between REM and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. During NREM, your body is relaxed. But when your body transitions into REM sleep, your eyes begin to move quickly and you start to dream. During the REM stage, your muscles "turn off"--an evolutionary mechanism to keep you from acting out your dreams while asleep. But if you start to wake up before the REM cycle is complete, you may find yourself immobilized when you become conscious The effect of sleep paralysis may occur in addition to other disorders such as [narcolepsy](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/narcolepsy-facts-the-science-and-the-symptoms), migraines, and [obstructive sleep apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/types).   **What Can You Do About It?** The [Sleep Paralysis Project](http://www.thesleepparalysisproject.org/about-sleep-paralysis/treatment/) suggests that people who suffer from this condition create a very strict bedtime schedule. Research finds that an irregular sleep/wake cycle may be a factor in sleep paralysis. Here are some other tips:  - [Avoid caffeine](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/foods-that-are-good-for-your-sleep-or-not) and alcohol close to bedtime.   - Avoid [sleeping on your back](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/which-sleep-position-is-best-for-you).  - Understanding what is happening can make the experience less overwhelming--so reading this blog post is a good place to start! Try to relax and breathe normally to reduce the length and intensity of an attack. - Concentrating on moving one small muscle, such as a finger, can break the paralysis and end the attack. If you have any questions about the condition, feel free to leave a comment and we'll get back to you! **Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? What was it like? Comment and share your experience.** [Photo credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/alyssafilmmaker/) Topics: [Sleep Disorders](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders), [Good Sleep Habits](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Is%20it%20a%20Ghost%2C%20or%20Just%20Sleep%20Paralysis%3F) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fis-it-a-ghost-or-just-sleep-paralysis%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - [Children and Sleep (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/children-and-sleep) - [Coffee (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/coffee) - [CPAP Alternatives (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-alternatives) - [CPAP Supplies (9)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-supplies) - [CPAP Treatment (25)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-treatment) - [Diabetes (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Doctor's Opinion (4)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/doctors-opinion) - [Economics of Sleep Medicine (15)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/economics-of-sleep-medicine) - [Good Sleep Habits (59)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) - [Health Insurance (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance) - [Heart Disease (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/heart-disease) - [Insomnia (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/insomnia) - [Job-Related Sleep Disorders (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/job-related-sleep-disorders) - [Kids and Sleep (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/kids-and-sleep) - [Narcolepsy (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/narcolepsy) - [Preparing for your sleep study (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-sleep-study) - [Sex and Sleep (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sex-and-sleep) - [Sleep and Exercise (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-exercise) - [Sleep and Society (41)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) - [Sleep Apnea (60)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea) - [Sleep Business (3)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-business) - [Sleep Disorders (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders) - [Sleep Studies (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-studies) - [Telemedicine (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/telemedicine) - [Treating Sleep Apnea (29)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) - [Women and Sleep (14)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/women-and-sleep) ### Most viewed posts ### Recent Posts **Contact Us:** Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. 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