The truth about sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis can be very frightening ordeal, especially if it is happening to you unintentionally. Is it possible to stop sleep paralysis?

This is the same question many sufferers of sleep paralysis have; one I once had myself. A quick search in google brings you to stopsleepparalysis.org, a website that claims to have all the answers. Here is their introduction video:

(note: see how long you can last without laughing)

I was in complete shock after watching this video. I still cannot tell if the creator of the video is serious or if he knows there is a lack of readily available information on sleep paralysis and decided to take advantage of its sufferers. Either way, the information on the site is misleading.

Let’s break down this video.

For the first two minutes of the video, the speaker talks about the folklore pertaining to sleep paralysis. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

At 2:25 is where things get interesting. The speaker says:

…I know what sleep paralysis is and I know how to stop it and I’ve seen tons of people beat it for good. So bear with me while I explain all this, because I’m sure many of you will not like the truth about this. But this will be all the information that you’ll need to terminate sleep paralysis for good from your life.

Yes, I want to know more!

You may have guessed by now that sleep paralysis is caused by demonic presence in the room.

Wait a minute…. So, you are trying to tell me that each time I experience sleep paralysis it isn’t because of REM atonia and my mind hallucinating but instead because of demonic beings possessing me? I’m going to need a bit more convincing than that.

There is some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that demons are smart and deceptive and very evil…

We’re doomed! Those damn demons. They are so smart and deceptive…and evil.

…the good news is that there is a way to turn the tables on them and make them the victims of your next encounter, as well as end [sleep paralysis] for good.

OK, this guy is totally full of crap. I won’t spend any more time analyzing his promotional video. Bottom line, stopsleepparalysis.org is full of lies. The site is to sleep paralysis science what FOX News is to journalism. It is pandering to those who believe in superstition and giving them false information regarding a medical condition.

I know some people believe in the occult and the hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations associated with a typical sleep paralysis episode are enough to sway your beliefs on the matter, but I must stress that there is concrete science behind sleep paralysis. Not everything is known about the sleep paralysis but new studies are currently being done, which hopefully will give us a better understanding of the condition.

He does allude to one decent point, that being that it is possible to manipulate a sleep paralysis episode with proper techniques.

How to stop sleep paralysis

If you find yourself paralyzed in your bed, the best thing to do is to not panic. Keep yourself calm. Assure yourself that you are only experiencing an episode of SP and it will subside shortly. Try to focus on moving a finger or your facial muscles. These are good techniques that always help me break from SP and wake up.

However, you may find that it is better to “ride out” the episode and instead of focusing your mind on negative thoughts. Try tuning your mind in to something a bit happier (maybe a loved one, a place you enjoy being, a fond memory). This will manipulate your hallucinations and possibly send you into a lucid dream, effectively dodging the negative symptoms associated with SP.

If you want to prevent sleep paralysis from occurring altogether, well, that can also be done.

Change your sleep habits. Sleep paralysis often occurs during periods of extreme drowsiness, from high stress levels, or awkward sleep patterns. Get your proper dose of REM sleep and SP will usually subside.

Sleeping position is also important. Make sure you aren’t sleeping in the supine position (on your back) as SP tends to occur in this position. Sleep on your side of on in the prone position (on your stomach).

Since I enjoy using sleep paralysis and the MILD method as a starting point for lucid dreams, I would advise you to learn to control sleep paralysis first before trying to prevent it from happening all-together. I know that the experiences sleep paralysis can offer can be life-changing (good or bad) and the connotation of the episode depends on your mind state. But if you don’t want to lucid dream and want to be able to sleep in peace, then the preventative measures will be more satisfactory to you.