Being "Pulled" Out of Bed? The Physics of Sleep Hallucinations

If you've ever experienced sleep paralysis feeling like I'm being pulled out of bed, you are not alone. Many people describe the same disturbing sensation: a force tugging at their legs, lifting their torso, dragging them across the mattress, or even pulling them into the air.

It can feel intensely real. But what's actually happening?

The answer lies in the strange overlap between dreaming and waking—and the very real physics of how your brain controls your body during sleep.

Let's break it down clearly and calmly.

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What Is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis happens when:

• Your brain wakes up
• But your body remains temporarily paralyzed

This usually occurs during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the stage where vivid dreaming happens.

During REM sleep:

• Your brain is highly active
• Your dreams feel realistic
• Your body is intentionally "turned off" (a process called REM atonia)

This paralysis is protective. It prevents you from physically acting out your dreams.

When sleep paralysis occurs, your brain regains awareness before your body regains movement.

The result?

• You can't move
• You may not be able to speak
• You may feel pressure on your chest
• You may sense a presence
• You may feel like you're being pulled, lifted, or dragged

That last sensation—sleep paralysis feeling like I'm being pulled out of bed—is especially common.

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The Physics Behind the "Pulling" Sensation

The sensation of being pulled isn't supernatural. It's neurological and sensory.

Here's what's happening physically:

1. Your Motor System Is Offline

During REM sleep:

• Your brain blocks signals to your muscles
• Large muscle groups are temporarily paralyzed

But your brain's movement planning areas are still active.

This creates a mismatch:

• Your brain thinks movement is happening
• Your body is not actually moving

That conflict can generate a powerful illusion of motion.

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2. Your Vestibular System Is Misfiring

The vestibular system (inner ear + brainstem circuits) controls:

• Balance
• Spatial orientation
• Sense of motion

During sleep paralysis, this system can partially activate while the body remains still.

The result?

• Sensations of floating
• Falling
• Spinning
• Being pulled or lifted

Your brain creates motion without physical movement.

It feels real because, neurologically, it is real.

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3. Dream Imagery Is Bleeding Into Reality

REM sleep is dream-heavy. When you wake up mid-REM:

• Dream images can persist
• Sensory hallucinations can overlap with reality

Your brain may interpret the internal sensation of motion as:

• A person pulling you
• An unseen force dragging you
• Something lifting you from the mattress

This is called a hypnopompic hallucination (when waking up) or hypnagogic hallucination (when falling asleep).

They are common and well-documented in sleep medicine literature.

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Why It Feels So Convincing

When people say, "It felt 100% real," they're not exaggerating.

During sleep paralysis:

• The amygdala (fear center) is highly active
• Logical reasoning areas are slower to come online
• The body is immobile

Your brain is essentially:

1. Partially dreaming
2. Fully aware
3. Unable to move

That combination amplifies fear and makes the experience unforgettable.

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Is It Dangerous?

In most cases, sleep paralysis is not physically dangerous.

However, it can be:

• Extremely distressing
• Anxiety-provoking
• Disruptive to sleep

Occasional episodes are common. Research suggests up to 20–40% of people experience sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime.

It becomes more concerning if:

• Episodes happen frequently
• You experience excessive daytime sleepiness
• You have sudden muscle weakness during emotions (possible narcolepsy)
• You experience loud explosive sounds during sleep transitions

If you're hearing sudden loud bangs, crashes, or explosion-like noises in your head as you fall asleep or wake up, this could be a related condition called Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)—and a free online symptom checker can help you understand whether your experiences match this surprisingly common sleep phenomenon.

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Why Does Sleep Paralysis Happen?

Several factors increase risk:

• Sleep deprivation
• Irregular sleep schedules
• Stress or anxiety
• Sleeping on your back
• PTSD
• Narcolepsy

Your brain relies on predictable sleep cycles. Disruption increases the chance that REM and wakefulness will overlap.

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Why Does It Feel Like Being Pulled Specifically?

Many people report similar themes:

• Being dragged off the bed
• Pulled by the legs
• Lifted upward
• Yanked backward
• Sliding across the mattress

This pattern likely happens because:

• The brain uses common motion schemas (falling, lifting, dragging)
• The body is horizontal and vulnerable
• The vestibular system produces directional motion signals

Your brain tries to make sense of chaotic signals by creating a story.

That story often includes motion.

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What You Can Do During an Episode

If it happens again:

• Focus on slow breathing
• Remind yourself: "This is sleep paralysis."
• Try small movements (wiggle toes or fingers)
• Avoid fighting it forcefully

Episodes usually last:

• A few seconds
• Occasionally up to a couple of minutes

They almost always resolve on their own.

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Reducing Future Episodes

You can lower the risk by:

• Keeping a consistent sleep schedule
• Getting 7–9 hours of sleep
• Reducing late-night screen time
• Managing stress
• Avoiding alcohol before bed
• Sleeping on your side instead of your back

If episodes are frequent or severe, speak to a sleep specialist.

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When to Speak to a Doctor

You should speak to a doctor if:

• Episodes are happening weekly or more
• You experience extreme daytime sleepiness
• You collapse or lose muscle tone with laughter or emotion
• You experience chest pain or breathing problems
• The episodes are causing severe anxiety

While sleep paralysis itself is not life-threatening, other sleep disorders—such as narcolepsy—can require medical treatment.

If anything feels medically serious, sudden, or unusual, seek medical care promptly.

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The Bottom Line

If you're experiencing sleep paralysis feeling like I'm being pulled out of bed, what you're feeling is:

• A real neurological event
• A REM sleep disturbance
• A temporary brain-body mismatch

It is not:

• A sign you are losing control
• A sign you are "going crazy"
• Evidence of something supernatural

Your brain is incredibly powerful. During sleep transitions, it can create sensations of motion so vivid they feel physical.

Understanding the physics behind it often reduces fear significantly.

If the episodes are rare, improving sleep habits may be enough.

If they are frequent, distressing, or accompanied by other unusual symptoms, speak to a doctor. A proper evaluation can rule out underlying sleep disorders and provide treatment options.

You do not have to manage it alone—and most importantly, you are not the only person who has felt this.