Blog Post #2- Sleep Paralysis

     Waking up not being able to move, pressure in your chest as if someone is sitting on you, figures appearing in the corner of your eye. Sleep paralysis may seem like something paranormal but in reality is something that has a simple explanation. It occurs when you are in REM sleep, your brain releases Atonia which paralyses your body, so you don't act out your dreams. When you are in transition of wakefulness and sleep you may suddenly wake up before your muscles regain movement and this is where you experience sleep paralysis. 

    You can hallucinate and it can be a very scary experience especially if you don't know what is happening. Sleep paralysis can occur to anyone and at any age but it is more common among those with other conditions such a Narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. There are certain tricks that are said to help with avoiding experiencing this such as not eating right before going to sleep or not sleeping flat on your back, there even other medical treatments. Still nothing can truly prevent it as it is like a glitch that occurs in your sleep cycle, and it really doesn't pose any danger.