What physiological processes cause sleep paralysis to occur?

Sleep paralysis is a condition that occurs during the transition between sleep and wakefulness. During sleep, especially in the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage, your body becomes very relaxed and almost paralyzed. This is normal and helps prevent you from acting out your dreams. However, when sleep paralysis happens, your brain wakes up before your body does.

Key Points

• Body Relaxation: During REM sleep, the body is in a state of muscle atonia, which means the muscles are very relaxed. This is meant to keep you safe while dreaming.
• Brain Alertness: Sleep paralysis occurs when your brain wakes up but your body remains in this paralyzed state.

This mismatch can feel scary because you may be aware of your surroundings but unable to move or speak. Sometimes, people also experience hallucinations during sleep paralysis. If you have concerns about sleep paralysis or how it affects your mental health, you can visit 988lifeline.org for support.