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.

However, 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!

Either 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:

• 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.

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...

Related 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?

The Worst Sleep Paralysis Experience

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

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