Sleep Paralysis

by Alhassan Sow

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Tanika and Cheyla both experienced something that more than 3 million people per year have experienced witch is sleep paralysis. Much like Tanika and Chayle most people freak out when they experience this in sleep especially for the first time. Both Tanika and Cheyla experienced this the most as adolescents. Bryan a science teacher at Forsyth satellite Academy stated that the reason why this occurs is because “when the body is in deep sleep witch is called rem sleep the body shuts down so you don’t move in your dreams so when you try to wake up and you can’t because your still in rem sleep.”

Jessica a science teacher informed us that your body can also be physically paralyzed for example when your spin breaks it can alter your nervous system from traveling.

Taking a look at this source https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis#1 it states that “Over the centuries, symptoms of sleep paralysis have been described in many ways and often attributed to an "evil" presence”.

This is very interesting because social worker Tanika said “ I feel like it was an evil presence stopping me from moving”.

This source also inlightings us to the fact that there are different kinds of sleep paralysis as we can see “If it occurs while you are falling asleep, it's called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, it's called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis.”

When questioning Cheyla and Tanika about about how long they were in that state for they both said that they did not know long it took but it felt like eternity.

In the article it also states “During these transitions, you may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking”.

It is interesting how the body is only in this state for a few seconds up to a few minutes but both Tanika and Cheyla felt like it was eternity. Looking back at the quote in paragraph 6 when it was talking some people feel a sense of choking.

This is very intriguing because a student at Forsyth Satellite Academy Stated “It was terrifying I could not a move at all and when I woke up felt I was choking”.

Sleep paralysis affects about 8 percent of the general population. When the body is in sleep paralysis there no physical danger happening to the body but you can not pull yourself out of it you have to wait for it to pass.

A student at Forsyth Satellite Academy said “ I would never want to experience something this terrifying”.

After hearing about the experience people during sleep paralysis. What is interesting about

Sleep paralysis is that it dates back to the 10 century people would use is it to explain supernatural events and being like an evil present.

In the article from Webmd it helps people who suffer from sleep paralysis.

It talks about alternatives that will be helpful for instance it says “Start by making sure you get enough sleep. Do what you can to relieve stress in your life -- especially just before bedtime. Try new sleeping positions if you sleep on your back. And be sure to see your doctor if sleep Paralysis routinely prevents you from getting a good night sleep”.

If you ever happen to experience this no need to fear for death. Sleep paralysis is nature this only happen when you are in rem sleep. Rem Sleep is the last stage of sleep when your body movement totally shuts down. There are 5 stages Awake, light sleep, deep sleep, rem sleep.

The body is only in this state for a few seconds or minutes .