Sleep Paralysis: It’s Nothing to Panic About

Are you already awake but feel paralyzed? Are you conscious but can’t move? When overwhelmed with anxiety, did you have the impression that you were choking?

This isn’t a reason to be unduly worried; you’ve just experienced an episode of sleep paralysis. Approximately 30% of the population have already been, or someday will be, affected by this phenomenon. This sleep disorder can occur during the falling asleep stage or upon waking.
Normally, your body is paralyzed at the paradoxical sleep stage, which is when you’re dreaming. A neurotransmitter causes muscle atonia, preventing your muscles from moving, except for the respiratory and eye muscles.
Sleep paralysis occurs when muscle atonia continues upon waking. When this happens, your brain is in a state of intermediate consciousness and, while it’s trying to find an explanation for the paralysis, it causes panic and fear. However, nothing serious has happened!