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Published on: 7/15/2026

What are the common hallucinations experienced during sleep paralysis?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sleep paralysis hallucinations are vivid sensory experiences that occur when your mind is awake but your body is temporarily unable to move. The most common types include:

  • Visual hallucinations: Seeing shadowy figures or sensing an intruder in the room
  • Tactile hallucinations: Feeling pressure on the chest, choking, or being held down
  • Auditory hallucinations: Hearing buzzing, footsteps, whispers, or other strange sounds

While these episodes can feel terrifying, they are not physically harmful and typically last only seconds to a few minutes. They occur because your brain remains in a REM-like state while your body has yet to "wake up."

If you're experiencing sleep paralysis or unexplained hallucinations, understanding the root cause is the first step toward relief. Symptoms can overlap with sleep disorders, anxiety conditions, or other treatable issues — and getting clarity shouldn't require waiting weeks for an appointment. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your symptoms and get guidance on the right next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Discover what’s causing hallucinations during sleep paralysisLearn if your symptoms need urgent careFind out if sleep paralysis is behind thisSee OTC options for sleep-related symptomsFind a doctor for sleep paralysis concernsUnderstand home remedies for sleep paralysisCheck if hallucinations need medical attention

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Explanation

Sleep paralysis is a condition where a person is unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, and it is often accompanied by hallucinations. These hallucinations can be quite vivid and scary.

Hallucinations during sleep paralysis can vary and can include:

  1. Visual Hallucinations: People might see figures or shadows, often described as an intruder or a ghost-like presence in the room.

  2. Tactile Hallucinations: Some individuals feel pressure on their chest or body, as if someone is pushing down on them.

  3. Auditory Hallucinations: Some people have reported hearing strange noises, such as buzzing, humming, or even voices.

These experiences happen because the brain is partially awake while the body remains in a sleep-like state, causing a temporary disconnect. While sleep paralysis can be unsettling, it is not harmful. If you experience distressing symptoms, you can use a free symptom checker to better understand what you're experiencing and determine if you should consult with a healthcare provider.

(References)

  • Cheyne JA, Rueffer SD, & Newby-Clark IR. (1999). Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations during sleep .... Consciousness and cognition, 10487786.

  • Stores G. (1998). Sleep paralysis and hallucinosis. Behavioural neurology, 11568409.

  • Cheyne JA. (2005). Sleep paralysis episode frequency and number, types, and .... Journal of sleep research, 16120108.

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