Thousands of people suffer form a dreadful experience where they loose control of their bodies. They are completely unable to move or make any sound. Worse off they sense a presence in the room that they normally feel is malevolent in nature. Some people describe the presence in the room as demons or evil aliens. But do these cases have another answer besides alien or demon visitations? Science says yes. It is called "Sleep Paralysis".

   Sleep Paralysis can happen to you right before you fall asleep or as you are waking up. It is something 20-30% of the American population may experience a few times in their lifetimes but for people suffering from narcolepsy it can be a frequent occurrence.

A common episode of sleep paralysis may go as follows.

"After a long day of work I had come home and went straight to bed. I slowly drifted off but before I was totally asleep I quickly snapped out of my sleepy state but I was unable to move. I tried as hard as I could to sit up but I just couldn’t. I started to cry out for help but there was no sound. I was completely paralyzed. Then I felt a presence in the bedroom. I swear it felt like pure evil was in the room with me. The being seemed to just be out of my view. I kept trying to move and scream and a slight burning sensation came over my body along with what felt was a great weight pushing on my chest. I was sure this was the end but then as suddenly as it came it left. I was able to get out of bed and left the room."

 

   A simple explanation of what sleep paralysis is that when you sleep a certain part of your brain "disconnects" itself from controlling the body this basically stops you from acting out your dreams. The problem is that the brain will sometimes disconnect to soon or to late. Your body is in a sleep state but your mind is awake. The control to your conscious mind just has not been reconnected.

   The presence felt in the room during sleep paralysis may be interpreted to be different things. It all depends on who is having the experience. A strongly religious person may believe it to be a demon. A person interested in the paranormal or may view it as a malevolent spirit or an alien. Here are the three most common identities given to the presence that is felt people who believe that sleep paralysis is not a natural thing but one of supernatural origin.

1)Incubus, A male demon of mythology believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women.

2)Succubus, A female demon of mythology believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men.

2)Ghost

3) Aliens

 

 

List of variants in the experience.

1) Burning sensation on the body.

2) Unable to move

3) Unable to speak or make a sound.

4) pressure on the chest. (Most common as most people sleep on their back)

5) pressure on the back.

6) Choking feeling

7) Breathing Difficulties.

8)The feeling of being pulled into the bed or whatever the person is on.

9) The presence felt seems to have a evil intent. And is normally credited with the effects of the body.

10) The feeling of bitting into a part of the body.

11) A twisting feeling on limb

12) The feeling of floating above the body.