What are some things I can do to reduce the risks of getting sleep paralysis before sleeping at night?

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And also while sleeping at night?
I often get sleep paralysis. And I find them pretty scary while I have them. Evey time I have them, almost every time I have them, I fear something bad will happen to me, like I'm dying or something ( which, once I'm out of the sleep paralysis, I see that I'm alright physically).

Thanks for all answers. :-)
From Wikipedia:
Sleep paralysis is a common condition characterized by transient partial or total paralysis of skeletal muscles and areflexia that occurs upon awakening from sleep or less often while falling asleep. Stimuli such as touch or sound may terminate the episode, which usually has a duration of seconds to minutes. This condition may occur in normal subjects or be associated with narcolepsy, cataplexy, and hypnagogic hallucinations. The pathophysiology of this condition is closely related to the normal hypotonia that occur during REM sleep. When considered to be a disease, isolated sleep paralysis is classified as MeSH D020188.

Physiologically, it is closely related to the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is known as REM atonia. Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain awakes from a REM state, but the bodily paralysis persists. This leaves the person fully conscious, but unable to move. In addition, the state may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic) and an acute sense of danger. Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual due to the vividness of such hallucinations. The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful, or dream-like, objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as a theory for alien abductions and ghostly encounters.

The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes "after which the individual may experience panic symptoms and the realization that the distorted perceptions were false". When there is an absence of narcolepsy, sleep paralysis is referred to as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP). "ISP appears to be far more common and recurrent among African Americans than among White Americans or Nigerian Blacks", and is often referred to within African American communities as "the witch riding your back"

Sleep paralysis is most often associated with narcolepsy, a neurological condition in which the person has uncontrollable naps. However, there are many people who experience sleep paralysis without having signs of narcolepsy. Sometimes it runs in families. There is no known explanation why some people experience this paralysis. It is not harmful, although most people report feeling very afraid because they do not know what is happening, and within minutes they gradually or abruptly are able to move again; the episode is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body.

In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm.

What else can you tell me about sleep paralysis?

* Some people with disrupted sleep schedules or circadian rhythm disturbances experience sleep paralysis
* A study found that 35% of subjects with isolated sleep paralysis also reported a history of wake panic attacks unrelated to the experience of paralysis
* Sixteen percent of these persons with isolated sleep paralysis met the criteria for panic disorder

How can I stop the sleep paralysis?

In severe cases, where episodes take place at least once a week for 6 months, medication may be used.

You may be able to minimize the episodes by following good sleep hygiene:

* getting enough sleep
* reduce stress
* exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime)
* keep a regular sleep schedule  (+ info)

How can you control sleep paralysis so you enjoy it? I'll experience it about once a month and theyre scary.

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In my experiences of sleep paralysis, I always feel like something evil is trying to hurt me or strangle me. Sometimes I have OBE's and I'll either hover over my body or sit up out of it. I would like to make these experiences more pleasant and possibly induce having an OBE.
I started having these episodes during college and periods of high stress. Mainly they were very disturbing and left me very exhausted and stressed out and worried for the next few hours after an episode. I got to the point where I was afraid to go to sleep because I didn't want to have an episode. Basically, you have to remind yourself as you're going to sleep that you are supposed to pay attention and if and episode/dream happens, then you should remind yourself that you're asleep and try to guide the experience to a more peaceful place mentally. I think it comes down to simply being aware of what you want to accomplish in your sleep...rest and peace. Then, when your conscious mind wakes up but your body is paralyzed, you "pick" your dreams and sortof "write" the dream like you'd write a play. then, that gets boring and you fall back into a more peaceful and restful state!

I finally decided that I would be the one to be in charge (control freak in me!) of my sleep and dream life. I found a book called "Lucid Dreaming" and it was very helpful. This was 15 or 20 years ago.

I mainly don't have these episodes anymore. But, if I get sleep-deprived or am up and down all night with sick kids, I will usually have an episode. Now, they don't disturb me nearly as much as they used to.

Good luck - everyone deserves a peaceful's night sleep.  (+ info)

Is it true that some body piercings can cause paralysis?

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I want to get my tongue pierced and I told my friends and a couple of them told me it can cause paralysis, is this true? Also, can any other piercings cause paralysis or other health complications?
If you pierce cartilage with a gun, it can shatter it and paralyse half your face if the piercing is in the conch, tragus, rook etc. with a tongue piercing, the only thing you need to worry about is not smoking, not drinking for a few weeks afterwards, and also some people cannot get it pierced because they have a vein running where the piercing would go. With the tongue it is a muscle so there is no chance of paralysis by getting it pierced.

Happy Piercing!  (+ info)

Sleep paralysis: What causes it, and how do i get rid of it?

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I get sleep paralysis at least 4 times a week, and have been experiencing it for the past 4years. It is beginning to concern me because sometimes i find myself "paralyzed" while somehow facing down in my pillow. it feels as im about to suffocate. each time i snap out of it right before the last minute.

anyone have similar experiences?? what causes this, and how do i get rid of it???
Is it harmful?

Sleep paralysis is most often associated with narcolepsy, a neurological condition in which the person has uncontrollable naps. However, there are many people who experience sleep paralysis without having signs of narcolepsy. Sometimes it runs in families. There is no known explanation why some people experience this paralysis. It is not harmful, although most people report feeling very afraid because they do not know what is happening, and within minutes they gradually or abruptly are able to move again; the episode is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body.

In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm.

What else can you tell me about sleep paralysis?


Some people with disrupted sleep schedules or circadian rhythm disturbances experience sleep paralysis
A study found that 35% of subjects with isolated sleep paralysis also reported a history of wake panic attacks unrelated to the experience of paralysis
Sixteen percent of these persons with isolated sleep paralysis met the criteria for panic disorder
How can I stop the sleep paralysis?

In severe cases, where episodes take place at least once a week for 6 months, medication may be used.

You may be able to minimize the episodes by following good sleep hygiene:


getting enough sleep
reduce stress
exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime)
keep a regular sleep schedule  (+ info)

What is the meaning of this sleep paralysis vision?

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For about two years now I've been having this really vivid dream. It happens in sleep paralysis in other words I'm partly awake. my dreams always start off as seemingly peaceful; it's when it's about to become "dangerous" that I find myself having problems trying to wake up. It's hard to explain. And two years ago these dreams of mine always involved a man. It was the same man each time though he came in different forms- I could tell because he had the same voice. He even appeared as my relatives and friends once. Any ideas as to what this could mean?
How an episode of Sleep Paralysis induces visual or auditory hallucinations is still not clear, but it seems to have a significant relationship with anxiety. Have you ever woken up, unable to move, paralysed by fear? There can be any number of reasons people suddenly awaken from sleep and feel physically paralysed.There are many causes of sleep paralysis, physical but also not-so-physical, such as being awakened suddenly when your consciousness has not fully integrated back into your physical body.

During paralysis episodes, patients may be advised to try moving the facial muscles and moving eyes from one side to the other. This may hasten the termination of the attack. Clonazepam is highly effective in the treatment of sleep paralysis. Enjoy your summer break! Take care as always!!  (+ info)

What treatment is the best for facial paralysis?

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have this problem so i want to know if acupunture or electricity or another treatment its better to fix this problem or just tell me if u had or have this thing and what treatment u have and how did u get this facial paralysis and how long it takes to get better?
Do you have Bell's Palsy? This is some information, but you can look it up. Yes. Approximately 50% of Bell’s palsy patients will have complete recoveries in a short time. Another 35% of the patients will see a good recovery in less than a year. If the nerve has suffered only a mild trauma, recovery can be very fast. The “average” recovery time is two weeks to a few months. Improvements of the appearance can continue beyond the “average” time frame.  (+ info)

what are the precautions of heart attack and paralysis?

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What should be taken care to an alcoholic person for being safe from heart attack and Paralysis.
I am addicted one and afraid of these two diseases.
I mean you are worried about having a Heart Attack or Stroke which might cause paralysis. You have a history of being an alcoholic.
Well first thing is stop alcohol.

1. Since alcohol will stop the fat from your body to get digested properly your cholesterol levels will go up and this will lead to fat deposits in your blood vessels.
2. These deposits are called plaques and are prone to rupture. If the circulation to your brain gets blocked you will have is a stroke and if the blood vessels to your heart gets blocked then the result is a heart attack.
3. exercise, Low fat diet, Cholesterol Control, Blood Sugar control (Diabetes), Blood Pressure control (Hypertension), No smoking and ideal BMI (Body mass ratio) or Lower waist girth is the key to controlling risk for heart attacks and stroke.

if you have been at it for some time - starting now might not be the right method. Know if your blood vessels are already affected. An Exercise treadmill test , A blood level of Cholesterol and liver function tests with fasting and after food blood sugar values should give you a good idea. Do meet your GP for a consultation and seek help for stopping alcohol. If you need to get admitted in a rehab centre please do that too.  (+ info)

Is there any correlation or relationship between sleep paralysis and depression?

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I had two episodes last night, both were pretty terrifying. Even as a 18 year old, I was tempted to go crawl in bed with my mom after the second one. The first one I hallucinated an out of body experience, but during the second one I was completely lucid and aware of what was going on.

I was just wondering, is there any relationship between sleep paralysis and depression? My depression seems to be worsening and I'm wondering if these episodes are symptomatic of anything.
Studies conducted have suggested a link between Sleep Paralysis and Social Anxiety (usually comorbid with Depression).  (+ info)

Is It Dangerous To Fall Back Asleep During Sleep Paralysis?

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When I have sleep paralysis (can't move or talk) I always feel sleepy and want to fall back asleep. Is this dangerous?
No, you shouldnt be awake during this time anyways. As I'm sure you know, our body's are paralyzed during sleep, but most people's body will 'unparalyze' when we wake up... apparantly you have some sleep disorder and your body is not recognizing when you become conscious. Anyways, it can't possibly be dangerous to go asleep, when you are supposed to be asleep anyways. The paralysis can't last that long anyways. I feel like I am saying anyways too much. Anyways, good luck with your paralysis, it sounds like a very scary thing...especially the first time it happened!  (+ info)

What is the most promising, groundbreaking potential cure for paralysis?

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The conventional wisdom has been that once someone severs or damages their spinal cord, related nerves or areas of the brain leading to paralysis or being either quadriplegic or parapalegic, that there is no cure to reverse such fully.

I know there are ways of curing, healing and fully reversing such conditions, even if not commonly or fully discovered yet. And Id love to hear what new, or old and rediscovered, methods or ways of reversing and heaing these conditions are currently the most promising!?
Anyone involved in these areas of research, especially that not manipulated or manipulated by preferences and biases of pharmaceutical companies or overly entrenched modes of thinking, who can share what seems to be the most promising directions for fully reversing and healing people who have become paralyzed through accidents, strokes or other events.?
Indeed there is a cure, we're just in the stages of finding all the pieces of the puzzle. An effective cure is going to be a combination of three things: preventing/removing the formation of scar tissue, getting the nerves to reproduce the proper connections, and rigorous physical therapy.

One of the most promising studies so far is that of Dr. Stephen Davies. ( see http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/blog/2008/04/keeping-hope-alive-two-promising-sci-studies/ ) There is also some information there about Peripheral Nerve Re-Routing, which is not quite a cure, but has proven very effective in regaining function of paralyzed areas of the body due to SCI.

In terms of paralysis caused by stroke or TBI, the treatment will be dealing with the brain rather than the spinal cord. Interestingly, there are many treatments for both brain injury and spinal cord injury that are similar. For instance, Lithium, an anti-psychotic drug, has also been proven effective in preventing much secondary injury after a SCI.

I would suggest poking around on the website ( http://www.brainandspinalcord.org ) for links to all the most important goings on in the field of neurological injury. Check back often too, as we update regularly!  (+ info)

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