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How to Stop Sleep Paralysis...
and Have Lucid Dreams

 

Sleep paralysis is a naturally occurring state that begins when we fall asleep each night. It arises before REM sleep to stop us from acting out our dreams. This is vital to keep us out of harm's way when we are unconscious - and if we want a good night's sleep! It is a basic protection mechanism.

You normally don't notice the paralysis happening because you are asleep. Your mind is either totally unconscious - or focused within a dream. And when you wake up, the paralysis is switched off in time with your conscious awakening.

Stop Sleep ParalysisHowever, some people become aware of sleep paralysis, feeling their muscles are partially or totally paralyzed. This is usually a fleeting sleep disorder and may be confusing or scary but is not dangerous. If you are a sufferer, you have two options: learn how to stop sleep paralysis altogether, or use it as a stepping stone to have lucid dreams and out of body experiences on demand.

 

Is Sleep Paralysis Dangerous?

No, it is not physically dangerous. Like I say, it is a natural protection mechanism. It is far better to wake up temporarily paralyzed than to be running around in your sleep! In a sense, then, sleep paralysis is the opposite of sleepwalking.

During an episode of paralysis, you will be conscious of your inability to move. This alone is not dangerous. However, some people panic and fight the paralysis, causing an increasing sense of fear. In extreme cases, they may ache the next day from straining to break free from a partial muscle paralysis.

 

The Psychological Fear Factor

If fear takes grip, sleep paralysis can be accompanied by a sense of menace or a dark presence in the room. Science explains this as the bodily reaction to this unfamiliar state. Some astral explorers suggest it may be our own spirit body, temporarily split between two points of awareness!

The Nightmare by Henry FuseliEither way, the brain sees what it wants to see, even if it means conjuring up a hellish vision of a demon coming into the room. This has been documented around the world for hundreds of years, in various forms. Consider the famous painting by Henri Fuseli of an incubus attacking a sleeping woman, in The Nightmare (right). It may also explain claims of alien abductions and ghostly encounters.

As far as the subconscious is concerned, this is a logical explanation for the sleep paralysis, the fear, the pounding heart rate, the sweating, the rapid breathing, etc. These are known as REM sleep hallucinations - or semi-waking dreams - to logically explain what is happening to the body.

This effect is psychosomatic, as there is nothing really there to harm you. If you suffer from these hallucinations, read on to see how you can overcome your fear and never be bothered by this disturbing sleep disorder again.

 

The Causes of Sleep Paralysis

Scientists know surprisingly little about the causes of this sleep disorder. There is a theory that motor neurons in the brain are inhibited - which means the signals to move the body don't get through to the spine as they should. This can leave your limbs feeling waxy and unresponsive.

Statistics show that we may all experience this condition at least once in our lives. Some people report it regularly, in which case it is regarded as a sleep disorder. But you may be more prone if you:Sleep Paralysis

  • Suffer from narcolepsy
  • Suffer sleep deprivation
  • Are under a lot of stress
  • Suffer other sleep disorders
  • Have frequent naps

Involuntary sleep paralysis is most likely to occur after waking up. You have little control over it, so the best thing you can do is remain calm to overcome the psychological fear of feeling paralyzed. Having said that, there are tricks to use on your body to make the paralysis deeper (to induce a lucid dream state) or to break free of it completely. Read on for tips to stop sleep paralysis this way.

 

How To Stop Sleep Paralysis

If you are experiencing isolated sleep paralysis, here are some practical tips for helping it to quickly dissipate:

  • Relax your body - don't fight it!
  • Think peaceful, relaxing thoughts
  • Wiggle your fingers and toes (if you can)
  • Move your eyes and look around the room
  • Focus on your breathing and move your mouth

Once your brain realizes that parts of your body moving (and therefore awake), it will shut off the paralysis mechanism and you will return to full wakefulness.

Medical treatments like Clonazepam and Ritalin can help recurring cases. If you are suffering from frequent episodes of sleep paralysis and it is affecting you in a bad way, please go see your doctor for professional help.

 

How To Induce Sleep Paralysis for Lucid Dreams

As you can see, there are two sides to this rather odd phenomenon. People who experience it against their will describe it as a sleep disorder. People who induce it deliberately regard it as the gateway to lucid dreams and out of body experiences.

"[Sleep paralysis] ...is not only nothing to be frightened of,
it can be something to be sought after and cultivated...
Just step over and you're in the world of lucid dreams"

Dr Stephen LaBerge

It all depends on your perspective.

I have experienced sleep paralysis against my will only once, and I was lucky enough to understand what was happening. So I knew it was all going on inside my body and there was no evil or external force trying to harm me. I relaxed as much as I could and it went away within 30 seconds.

However, I've since induced it deliberately many times in my waking lucid dream attempts. It's really quite easy to induce as you go to sleep at night. The main thing to do is lay very still and don't move - even when you get the urge to roll over (this is your brain asking your body "are you asleep yet?")

Fans of Wake Induced Lucid Dreams and out of body experiences enter this state of paralysis all the time. It need only last a few seconds before you become fully lucid in a dream - or move your awareness out of body. For a complete guide to the "Mind Awake / Body Asleep" technique, check out this instructional video.

I had my very first WILD shortly after watching the video, and wasn't even aware of the sleep paralysis. It wasn't at all scary! What's more, the video explains several different methods for going lucid; some using visualizations (my favorite) and others using simple body signals (not relying on any visualization skills).

So as you can see, the sleep paralysis mechanism is actually an ideal way to experience highly vivid lucid dreams and out of body experiences on demand...

 

 

Lucid Dreaming KitRelated articles

Sleep Disorders

False Awakenings

Escaping from Nightmares

Sleep Paralysis

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Night Terrors

Lucid Nightmares

Fatal Familial Insomnia

Wake Induced Lucid Dreams

 

 

The Worst Sleep Paralysis Experience

What's your worst experience of sleep paralysis? Did you hallucinate as well? Have you ever used sleep paralysis to induce a lucid dream or OBE?

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The Worst Sleep Paralysis Experience

Click below to read other people's scariest sleep paralysis experiences.

Sleep Paralysis Possession  starstarstarstarstar
Last night I had sleep paralysis nightmare after a nightmare occurring what seemed like every 10 to 20 minutes or so. Naturally I got very little sleep ...

Heart Attack  starstarstarstarstar
I have sleep paralysis quite a lot, however one time it really scared me. It was night time and while usually realise what's going on, this time I didn'...

Frightening Experiences Before Falling Asleep  starstarstarstarstar
At times before I fall asleep I have to hold my partners hand because as I start falling asleep I enter an extremely physically paralyzing & fearful state....

My First Encounter with Sleep Paralysis  starstarstarstarstar
I have had sleep paralysis a few times in the past year. It usually happens when I have had a few days in a row where I have not had enough sleep. The ...

I Have Paralysis When I Lay Down to go to Sleep!  starstarstarstar
Now I have never read any stories, or have come upon many articles on sleep paralysis happening to people as they are going to sleep. Usually it occurs ...

Constant Sleep Paralysis  star
I am 21 and I have been experiencing sleep paralysis since I was 12. I hate them and I don't like them. It's hard not to panic and even when I do calm ...

Scared to Sleep in My Room  Not rated yet
About every other night it happens. I know I am awake I can see my aunt sometimes in the kitchen or hear the TV in the other room. But the scariest thing ...

Upside Down Sleep Paralysis  Not rated yet
Upside down sleep paralysis is the worst. Lying on your back, you just try hard to move and you eventually wake up with a headache. It is very frightening ...

Sleep Paralysis is Sheer Terror!  Not rated yet
I cannot wake up, I cannot breath, I feel so terrified, I know I am going to die. I try anything to stop it but nothing works. I scream, I kick, I cry ...

Hallucination of a Man in My Bed!  Not rated yet
I have had sleep paralysis and OBE-like experiences for about 10 years now, although with the OBEs, I can only walk around my house and I can only move ...

Paralyzed in Bed with a Bad Force in My Room  Not rated yet
This dream started when I was still living at home with my parents. I am 33 now and this started at about 18-19 years old I guess. I just had it again....

First Experience When Little  Not rated yet
I had my first sleep paralysis when I was little. I woke up from a dream and my body wouldn't move. I opened my eyes and fought so hard to move that I ...

I Saw a Gray Man with Red Eyes!  Not rated yet
This happen about a month ago. I was taking a nap during the day and I felt as if I was awake, however I could not move. I tried to move and scream but ...

Dark Shadow  Not rated yet
I think this was when I was around 14 - not the first time, but one of the most terrifying. I was woken up from a dream when I saw what appeared to be ...

In Pain and Exhausted The Next Morning  Not rated yet
For awhile now I awaken feeling as if I have been violated physically - yet in the course of sleeping I do not feel anything. It's weird becauseI am at ...

Always Crows!  Not rated yet
I've kind of got control of my sleep paralysis now. If I wiggle my toes or at least try to in my dream, I can normally wake up before the dream gets too ...

Trying to Move  Not rated yet
As I sleep, I can see the position of myself on the bed in our room where I am sleeping. I feel paralyzed, and by that time I know I am dreaming, I'm scared ...

My Frightly Encounters with Sleep Paralysis   Not rated yet
I'm a 16-year-old male from The Bahamas and suffering from sleep paralysis. It happens to me so often - ever since I was a little child, about 6 or 7. The ...

Something In My Closet  Not rated yet
I was alone in my house. I had gone to bed and everything was dark. I was lying on my back and heard something in my closet. I rolled my eyes toward the ...

Scare Out of My Mind  Not rated yet
Three nights ago I fell asleep - or so I thought. I was aware of my surroundings; I could hear my children in the the room. I could hear my father snoring ...

Can't Get Out!  Not rated yet
Going back to my early twenties (I'm 41 now) I had sleep paralysis that started with a really loud rushing noise that woke me, only I wasn't awake and ...

Is BPD Linked with Night Terrors?  Not rated yet
I am 18 and still sleep with the light on. If I try to sleep with it off or even cover my face with the light on I have these bad dreams. I can't exactly ...

Scary!  Not rated yet
I watch an anime called Naruto, and my favorite character Itachi can put people in Genjutsu (mind control where you feel as if it is real life - you can ...

The Bottom Line  Not rated yet
The most amazing thing about sleep paralysis for me is how it parallels the experiences induced by psychedelic drugs and deep meditation. It's all connected....

Paralyzed Night Terror  Not rated yet
I'm a 24-year-old college graduate. After waking up from a few bad dreams, I went to bed again and shortly after woke up but my whole body felt like it ...

Ignore It  Not rated yet
I faced sleep paralysis before I read anything about it, and in our Eastern societies people behave in a funny and terrified way. They say that there is ...

Demon Staring at Me!  Not rated yet
I've had sleep paralysis a few times already. I remember the first bad one I had which resulted in great fear and anxiety. I started to believe something ...

Mostly During Naps  Not rated yet
I have experienced sleep paralysis for a long time but I would say starting in my early 20s - though probably longer, I just don't remember specifically....

My first experience was 27 years ago  Not rated yet
I have recently had 4 sleep paralysis episodes in the same night. Every time, I was aware of noises and then feeling like I was being held down on my shoulder....

Sleep Paralysis  Not rated yet
I am 45 years old, but when I was younger (from childhood up to about my early 30s) I would go through bouts of what I now know as sleep as paralysis. At ...

 

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