Page 146 - Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol. 3

Mysteries of the Mind 127

Faraday, Ann. Dream Power. New York: Berkley narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. Research has also
Medallion Books Edition, 1973. determined that instances of sleep paralysis
Hall, Calvin, S. The Meaning of Dreams. New York: usually begin around the ages of 16 and 17,
McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1953, 1956. increases through the teen years, and general-
Kramer, Milton, ed. Dream Psychology and the New ly declines during the 20s. Although the con-
Biology of Dreaming. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. dition is comparatively rare during the 30s,
Thomas, 1969. roughly 3 to 6 percent of the general popula-
Krippner, Stanley. Dreamtime and Dreamwork: Decod- tion may continue on occasion to experience
ing the Language of the Night. Los Angeles: Jeremy sleep paralysis throughout their lives, especial-
P. Tarcher, 1990. ly if they undergo sleep deprivation or experi-
Sechrist, Elsie. Dreams—Your Magic Mirror. New ence frequent sleep disruption.
York: Dell Publishing, 1969.
Tart, Charles, ed. Altered States of Consciousness. New
York: John Wiley & Sons, 1969.
RESEARCHERS links sleep paralysis with

Sleep Paralysis rapid eye movement (REM), the dream state.
Sleep paralysis is a condition that occurs in
that state just before falling to sleep (hypna-
gogic state) or just before fully awakening Because the experience is extremely fright-
from sleep (hypnopompic state). Although ening for many who suffer from sleep paralysis,
the condition may last for only a few seconds, they may be reluctant to discuss the problem
during that time a person undergoing sleep because they have become convinced that
paralysis is unable to move or speak and often they have witnessed a supernatural visitation
experiences a sense of fear that there is some or because they fear they are going insane.
unknown presence in the room. Along with Researchers insist that while the condition of
such hallucinations as seeing ghosts, angels, sleep paralysis may be unpleasant and unset-
devils, and extraterrestrial beings, many indi- tling, it is not indicative of any serious long-
viduals undergoing sleep paralysis also report term psychological problem. Those enduring
the sensation of being touched, pulled, or feel- severe sleep paralysis have been successfully
ing a great pressure on the chest. treated with certain antidepressants that
A general consensus among researchers inhibit REM sleep. Even more effective, many
links sleep paralysis with rapid eye movement sleep researchers maintain, is to understand
(REM), the dream state. While in the normal more about what the condition is and learn
state of dreaming, the muscles relax and the not to fear it.
brain blocks signals that would permit the
limbs to move, thus preventing the body from M Delving Deeper
acting out its dreams. In the case of sleep Hellmich, Nanci. “When Sleep Is But a Dream.”
paralysis, the usual barrier between sleeping USA Today, March 27, 2001. [Online] http://
and wakefulness temporarily drops and certain www.usatoday.com/life/llead.htm.
sleep phenomena, of which immobility is one, Hufford, David J. The Terror That Comes in the Night:
enter into wakefulness. Some individuals, An Experience-Centered Study of Supernatural
momentarily paralyzed, suffer feelings of Assault Traditions. Philadelphia: University of
dread, helplessness, and become convinced Pennsylvania Press, 1989.
that they have been visited by some supernat- Krippner, Stanley, with Joseph Dillard. Dreamwork:
ural presence. How to Use Your Dreams for Creative Problem-
The 1990 International Classification of Solving. Buffalo, N.Y.: Bearly, 1988.
Sleep Disorders reports that sleep paralysis Rowlands, Barbara. “In the Dead of Night.” The
may occur to 40 to 60 percent of the popula- Observer, November 18, 2001. [Online] http://
tion once or twice in a lifetime, but happens www.observer.co.uk/life/story/0,6903,596608,00.
quite frequently to people who suffer from html.

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