What Causes Sleep Paralysis?
Share
Fact checked
Reviewed by experts
Writers at Sleep Authority are supported by a research team conducting in-depth research about the topics. The editorial team reviews them for accuracy and facts to ensure the most authentic and accurate content is published. Sleep Authority does not offer any medical advice, and you should not rely solely on our content for your course of treatment. Consult your medical professional to discuss any health concerns, chronic conditions, treatment options, or diagnoses.
Updated
December 23, 2022
Quick read
< 1 mins to read
List of Content
Sleep paralysis is the feeling of not being able to move while you are in the hazy in between world of consciousness and sleeping, but being unable to move. It’s a scary moment, and one that feels like it might never end.
So what causes sleep paralysis?
The good news is that it’s probably not as serious as it seems. Sleep scientists have found that, in most cases, sleep paralysis is just a sign that your body is not moving well through its sleep stages. It is only rarely that sleep paralysis is linked to underlying psychiatric problems.
There are two main times when sleep paralysis can occur: When it happens while you are falling asleep, it’s called hypnagogic sleep paralysis. Conversely, if it happens as you are waking up, it’s called hypnopompic sleep paralysis. But what causes sleep paralysis?
During sleep, your body alternates between REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. Each cycle lasts 90 minutes. NREM sleep occurs first and takes up most of your body’s sleep time. During NREM sleep, your body relaxes itself and restores crucial enzymes it may need.
At the end of NREM, your sleep transitions into the REM cycle. This is when dreams occur, but the rest of your body remains very relaxed. This is when sleep paralysis can occur. Your muscles are unable to move during REM sleep, so if you awaken before the REM cycle has finished, you may experience the symptoms of sleep paralysis. Now you know what causes sleep paralysis. It’s such a normal experience that four out of ten Americans will experience it in their lifetime.
While it can be scary, know that it’s completely normal and you are not alone.
This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided “as-is”, Sleep Authority and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact using contact form to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.
Sleep Authority is brought to you by Resident, the company that brings you Nectar, DreamCloud, Awara, Wovenly, Bundle, Home Well Designed and Level Sleep.
