Is Sleep Paralysis Paranormal?
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Several years ago I woke up and I was aware of an evil dark presence in my room. When I tried to change my position so I could better see what it was I found that I was paralyzed. When this happened to me, and it has only ever happened that one time, I had never heard of the term "Sleep Paralysis" nor had I heard about the phenomenon. No one I had ever known, no one in my family had ever mentioned anything similar to this.
Over the years I have read quite a bit about sleep paralysis; stories, "scientific" articles, forums, etc. There are those who say that sleep paralysis is a normal function of the body to protect itself during dreams. Otherwise we would move around and act out our dreams they say. Well, I have a few children and I grew up with a big family and I have seen them dreaming and moving about. Though I am not always looking I have never seen my children or anyone else to where they appeared to be paralyzed.
People commonly move around while they are dreaming, so my question would be why doesn't this "normal body function" happen with anyone I have seen?
What follows are some personal experiences with sleep paralysis from several different people.
Recurring Sleep Paralysis
It happens at least once a month. I lay in my bed with my husband watching a movie and without me knowing I drift off to sleep. I try to wake up but I can't! I keep telling myself to wake up. I can hear everyone around me my husband and children talking I also can hear the TV but I can't move.
I lay there paralyzed but my mind keeps going I have asked my husband when I do wake what I was doing or saying he says nothing that I was laying still sleeping but when it's happening I can hear myself scream and I lay trying to tell my body to move.
I don't understand why this keeps happening to me. When I finally am able to wake myself I am filled with fear of going back to sleep. Is there an answer to why this happens or a way to make it stop?
~ chas
Are You Experienced?
Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis?
See results without votingKnow Anyone?
Do you personally know of anyone (other than yourself) who has experienced sleep paralysis?
See results without votingIs Sleep Paralysis Paranormal?
Do you believe sleep paralysis is a paranormal event?
See results without votingSleep Paralysis and Chirping Sounds
I have experienced sleep paralysis since my early twenties after the birth of my first child. I am now 42 and still suffer from this nocturnal terror on a frequent basis. I have had daytime paralysis but only a few rare instances that were not terrorizing in nature. My last experience was the worst one ever and has left me with a fear of sleeping alone at anytime of the day or night.
It was the 23rd of November, 2009, I "woke" up to a whistling chirp that I have never heard in my sleep paralysis experiences before. I've always heard buzzing like bees. This whistling chirp was foreign to me but at the same time familiar (That's how it felt at the time, familiar. Weird!). I could see a hooded figure at the foot of my bed and as it moved to round my side of the bed I was able to whimper loud enough to wake my husband who in turn snapped me out of my paralysis.
I lay the rest of the night with the covers over my head too afraid to go back to sleep. This was the first time this experience made me cry because I've never seen the hooded figure before, this was his first appearance. I say "him" because I remember trying to tell my husband to "make him go away", the whimper was all I could muster. Since that night I have demanded that our two dogs sleep in the same room with us.
I have not had sleep paralysis since they started sleeping with us. I guess my hounds are keeping my Boogey Man at bay! I found out some years ago that my son was also experiencing sleep paralysis and according to him has been for as long as he can remember! I feel it was his birth that triggered my first sleep paralysis.
~ Fhranda
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I have always been fascinated by anything considered paranormal, supernatural or mysterious. I grew up reading books about ghosts, UFOs and ancient mysteries. We have all had different experiences in this...
Sleep Paralysis Information
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My Sleep Paralysis Experience
I was sleeping in my room while my sister (visiting from out of state) slept in my room as well. I had an alarm on my phone to go off at 7:30 am, I woke up from a pleasant dream and just closed my eyes for awhile. Soon I heard my sister's phone vibrate from which she woke up to and started talking immediately about random stuff. Then I heard my dog running up to my bed, I wanted to pick him up but I when I tried to move I couldn't that's when everything got quiet. I tried to move a little bit but I still couldn't.
I calmed myself down and took long deep breaths but then I realized something or someone was laying next to me on my bed. I started to panic breathing very heavily hoping it would wake me up. When I did wake up it was 7:33 am and my sister was asleep. I kept wondering to my what just happened.
Do any of you guys think that when I thought heard my sister wake up and started to talk and my dog was running around, was just a distraction for a spirit or something to put me in a sleep paralysis state?
Also I had another experience like year ago when I couldn't move or open my eyes I felt something touch the side of my mouth before I woke up, could that mean anything?
~ Roel Torres
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More Sleep Paralysis Experiences
- Paralyzed in Sleep and Shadows
Paralyzed in Sleep and ShadowsI have 3 stories to tell… (1) When I was two I lived in Missouri. - 8 months ago
- Recorded Noises During Sleep Please Help
Recorded Noises During Sleep Please HelpI’m writing about a noise that I have recorded on my iPhone through an application that monitors sleep disturbances and patterns during the night. - 8 months ago
- Dark Shadow and Paralysis
Dark Shadow and ParalysisOK, this is the absolute most malevolent occurrence I’ve ever experienced. - 10 months ago
- Is it Sleep Paralysis?
Is it Sleep Paralysis? - 10 months ago
- Sleep Paralysis and Things I Cant Explain
Sleep Paralysis and Things I Cant ExplainI have been having sleep paralysis now for about 6 years; I started to get it when I was in my final year of university and was holding down 2 jobs, working all hours and partying all night. - 10 months ago
- Waking Up Scared
Waking Up ScaredGrowing up, I experienced many instances of sleep paralysis. - 13 months ago
Sleep Paralysis and Voices
I was reading a bunch of the experiences about sleep paralysis and it brought to mind several experiences I had when I was a teenager.
Several times a month for about 4 years, I would wake up from a dead nights sleep and not be able to move at all. Yes I was fully awake. I would stare above me and it looked as if the ceiling and the walls were about to implode and then the space above me would begin to spiral into this big black hole where I could hear voices coming out of it. Some very peaceful and some very scary.
Any insight on this. I thought I was alone until I read about it on True Ghost Tales.
~ Travis
Demons and Sleep Paralysis
I remember one night that I asleep and I woke up and could not move. When I turned my head I couldn't keep my eyes open. Every time I closed my eyes I saw this dark figure looking at me it was the ugliest thing I have ever saw in my life. When I cussed at it my whole body shook like it was an earthquake. I started to pray.
I woke up and turn the light on. Don't fear things like this. It's just the devil trying to make him fear you. If you right with god just say Jesus name and the demon will flee. Demons will tremble of the name Jesus.
~ Tyler
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What Do You Think?
What do you think about sleep paralysis? Is it paranormal? Or is it just a normal biological function to protect us in our sleep? I invite you to post your comments below. Reply about one of the experiences in particular or to the subject in general.
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Yes, It's the Devil that's right, or it could be a ghost? EITHER or both? It's not good to try and talk to them,If I was anyone I would PrAy to God and make sure I kept my religious life very strong now. It's a test to see how weak you are and if your easy they will continue to bother you until you get weaker. they will return, DO something before they do, bless your house, PRAY Now!!!
I've had sleep paralysis since I was a young girl. It often occurs when I lie down to take a nap. It's very scary at times, because it feels as though something very heavy is lying on top of me pushing me into the mattress. It's like everyone says...you can hear sounds all around you, but you can't respond or move at all and often times you are in between consciousness and sleep.
Hi MP:
I didn't read this hub.
I usually do read a hub from a new follower (friend.)
The "paranormal" doesn't interest me.
Thanks tho for becoming a "follower and friend."
Write more hubs and I'll check 'em out.
Qwark
Thanks qwark, I havent been on hub very long and will be creating more hubs very soon.
YW....I'll be watching...:-)
Qwark
It doesn’t sound like you are experiencing sleep paralysis. From reading this, it seems like you are stopping yourself from having an out of body experience. This is a very interesting. Thank you for sharing, I will be looking forward to reading more of your hubs.
Thank you for the comment but I am wondering which experience above you are referring to as there are several. Appreciate you taking the time to read this hub and post your thoughts!
"I try to wake up but I can't! I keep telling myself to wake up. I can hear everyone around me my husband and children talking I also can hear the TV but I can't move."
Hi there. I have had an experience such as Sleep paralysis, and I fully believe its paranormal. Its happened to me more than once...
At one point I was sleeping in my room at my moms place. It was a hot summer night. I lived in Namibia so it is common that nights are unbearable.
Suddenly I notice it getting frighteningly cold as if the world just went crazy. When I try to pull the blanket up I can't. I am unable to move at all. Then the hairs on my body stand up and I get goosebumps everywhere. Soon after there is this intense pressure in my head and it feels like my ears are blocked. I keep my eyes pressed closed out of fear when that happens.
Anyway, one night this happens and I suddenly hear a faint thudding noise coming towards my bed. I then hear this deep ferocious growling next to my bed. I can feel the hot breath on my cheek, and it smells, like 2 month old garbage in a hot trash can. The growling sounds like a massive dog, like a Rottweiler or something. Then I heard the thing move away and it is silent. After that it gets warm again and I am able to move.
Note that my mom does not own a dog and this happened one night when I was home alone. I've only encountered this daemon dog twice in my life. So far never again.
Thanks sarclair, I appreciate that. I tend to think that there is more going on than we might think and somehow it can be caused by both paranormal and normal factors. I am still learning about the phenomenon and appreciate yours - and everyone else's - comments and thoughts
I have experienced sleep paralysis before. It was very scary. I'm glad somebody is bringing attention to this.
I experienced this before. Yet I hadn't gone to sleep yet. I was fully awake. My brother and sister were fighting at the foot of the bed. I was looking up at the ceiling. Suddenly, right in my ear I heard a deep, hollow sounding male voice call my name. I instantly froze. I couldn't even blink my eyes. We lived in a haunted house at the time.
I saw a documentary once that talked about young dinosaurs and motion paralysis. Young dinosaurs take cover in the brush until they are old enough to fend for themselves. If they are threatened by a predator, they instantly freeze, completely motionless. Many animals still do this.
Some believe that sleep paralysis is a self preserve mechanism left over from this ancient mode. It appears to be more prevalent in children.
Thank you for that wonderful comment Amber. I had never heard that about the dinosaurs before.
well let's put it this way...i had this experience probably 4 times a month around last year...my first one was i felt this bear like creature on top of me...i could literally feel his hand/claw on my face....now the scary part is i felt this was happening again...so this time i didn't fear it....i gave it a "wtf are you doing look" and i saw it vanish and i was able to move w.o waking up...the second time i believe it was god...because it was this blue background with a white swirly light....he told me do not do anything with your neighbors...i think he meant sexually....anyways i love him and thank him for waking me up from that one...he literally counted down to when i can wake up...i was in joy...the third one again it felt something heavy was on me...then i saw a floating jesus face and after that i woke up...i love jesus...from then on i always slept with a plan...since i already knew this usually happens like an hour before i wake up i put an alarm clock on my computer hooked up to my speakers...for a week and a couple of days it didn't happen to me but i still kept the alarm playing...and finally boom it happened to me...this fat motherfucker was on me...the alarm went on...my friend noticed i didnt wake up from the alarm...and my friend at a wake and moving and conscious state saw what was on me....well he grabbed it and he said it was so dense...not too heavy but denser than anything he has grabbed before...he said that thing crawled back in my closet...i was still paralyzed...anyways...i eventually woke up...he pointed his finger towards my closet in fear...he said there it is...i looked at it...i went closer....i grabbed it hand...and it was crying...so i pet him...and he hugged me...i kept him for a couple of nights...eventually he said he has to go and he will stop paralyzing me...but nobody ever believes me or my friend...btw this creature is not anything evil...he's the cause of "boredum" that't how he explained it...it makes sense he is so bored he would come and bother me...anyways...we still go out and drink once a blue moon...he's my buddy i call him doodlebob
when I close my eyes and feel the wave of dreaminess and hospital like smell i stay away from bedtime. The first time it perched on top of me heavy I thought it was gonna kill me I tried so hard to scream i was 5yrs old. next time I think a different one petted my back. The worst is when they touch my legs and i can never move i hate when they're talking they're jibberish in my ear the most and hump me sometimes. I think they don't just want to kill me they want my soul.
hi last night i had sleep peralysis it was fucked up i was sleeping and i woke up because there wan music started playing on my laptop i was sleeping under my laptop buro at my dads house all of a sudon the music turned to static i got so scared i tryed to move but i couldnt i felt hands grabing my hands it was freaky because it came from under me i was on my back like usual when S.P happens ur on ur back but the hands where invisable and they where getting tighter allofasudon i heard my dad talk on his cell phone he was walking with his sandoles he went too pee in the bathroom he was still talking the whole way i was trying to call him but there was nothing that comes out anyway he leftthe bathroom then i heard a cat meawl scared the shit out of mee and than i felt somthing poke me in the stomick with somthing i dont know what it is but i had the image in my head anyways i started praying to god than i woke up jumped out of my bed open the room door and it was all dark i was like wtf wheres my dad i went to see him in his room and woke him up and asked him if he just went to the bathroom wile he was talking on the phone he answerd no its verry scary.
another time i woke up i couldnt move or talk i was flying just a little hire than my bed tht was like one of my first sleep paralysis when i snaped out of it it was the same tv show that was playing on tv.
I THINK IT IS A PARANORMAL THING it has been happening to me all my life and i like it but it is scary
I suffer from sleep paralysis often, especially when i am stressed.........the dreams are always almost identical, and always quite demonic. Sometimes i can actually feel my REM's.....The paralysis is scarey, and i am learning to say to myself "Mary this is your sleep paralysis, you will wake soon", but in the meantime i can feel myself wanting to shout or scream or fight my way out but i really cannot move or make a sound........i haven't really got used to it, when this happens i have to continue my sleep with the light on, even though i really know it was just a dream!!!!!!!!!!!!
So none of you can control it? I'm also from Namibia like Uriel24. I have had it for awhile now and at first it scared the heck out of me. Sounds, hallucinations and creatures the works.
My very first time I was lying on my side at the time when I woke feeling a presence behind me. it had a visious feeling to it but no matter what I couldn't move my body as I felt it move closer and closer towards my neck and eventually I could even feel its breath, if you can call it that, on my neck. My body had built up so much tension at the time trying to break free that the second I could move my arm shot out against my mattress and launched me into standing position at the front of my bed.
After some years I started noticing something in my head (this happened because I had a friend sleeping next to me and I didn't want to alarm them). Its hard to explain but its a state I recognise and I can concentrate on. When I lie down I listen/concentrate on it and I can force myself into of sleep paralysis and can even use it to force myself out of it using the same 'doorway'. I have been playing with it for awhile now (although not too long ago I noticed on rare occasion ended up sleep walking I'm paralysed and I can see what is happening but I just have a feeling of "I don't care" and I watch myself just shuffle around as if something is holding me or pushing me from behind). I have forced myself into sleep paralysis multiple times in an evening though (easily done especially after you just had one involuntarily but I'm sure most of you when you put your heads down again can feel it coming back). Trust me this does not count as sleep so you will feel tired if you do it. Its strange watching things like little creatures scurrying about as if they are real and just going about your day and scurrying about real objects and people while you are supposedly sleeping.
Besides the point though. So have any of you also learnt to control it? Once in the sleep paralysis state I watch and listen to whats happening and sometimes can even manipulate the hallucinations (and no its not like a dream as i am still aware of the outer world happening). Its an otherworldly kind of experience and one I doubt you can experience quite like this otherwise.
It is not a dream.They are attacks. They have happened while my mother was in the room with me so i was awake and when she came in the demon ran to the closet. it usually happens the attacks either when i am doing really good getting closer to God, going to Mass everyday use the sacraments or when i was reallly bad into drugs. but never when i am luke warm because thats where the devil wants us. see when we are in mortal terrible place we can easily rise to a good place and when we are in a really good place we can stay in that place and keep moving forward but when we are luke warm and not accomplishing anything the devil doesnt bother because we are accomplishing nothing and being in the middle gets comfortable im talking bout spiritual levels. I am no religous fanatic i dont believe in UFo's aliens, lochness etc but i know this shit is real because i lived it my whole life. I have heard they mock me i have seen satan or one of his demons n form of the dragon. But to all be not afraid and rejoice for if you R getting attacked satan is scared and wants to throw you off your game for God has plans for you to do much good on this earth!!! keep close to the sacraments especially make regular confessions and use the rosary and when you get these attacks just laugh at them they have no power over you
Alastar Packer Level 8 Commenter 15 months ago
Used to have sleep paralysis some long time back-but its easier to tell between it and possibly something else.the former is of course getting caught between un-con. and con.and in my case when I started getting better nutrition they ended.the latter could be a whole new ball game though.