Why do people often describe a 'demon' during sleep paralysis?

Sleep paralysis can be a scary experience because you wake up and can't move your body. Many people feel a heavy weight on their chest and see or sense a scary figure, like a 'demon.' This happens because your brain is still partly dreaming, even though you're awake.

Cultural Stories

• Different cultures have stories that explain sleep paralysis.
• In some places, people think a ghost or spirit is sitting on them.
• These stories make people think of demons when they have sleep paralysis.

Brain and Body

• Your brain is still dreaming, so you might see or feel things that aren't real.
• Because you can't move, it feels even scarier.

If you find sleep paralysis very frightening or it happens a lot, you might want to talk to someone about it. For more help, you can visit 988lifeline.org.