From: Nhardie 09/03/2001 2:28:44 Subject: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248391 Have you ever experience a dream where you can see and hear everything to a point where you recall exactly what happen. I am interested to hear your views as to what causes the brain to close down and make you feel very pinned to your bed where by you cannot move or say anthing but you are well aware of whats happening around you. Are you alseep or awake. I have had this experience plus both of my sister and I am sure there are quite a few out there who has experience this awakening dream. Look forward to your comments. thanks Nhardie From: Martin Smith (Avatar) 09/03/2001 2:36:21 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248396 I have had this, plus its more scary cousin (where you feel as if something is in the room with you etc). Do a web search there is a lot on it. Very basically the brain releases a chemical that prevents you "jumping around in bed" when dreaming. It stops some motor function. Dream paralysis is a consequence of this chemical (whose name I always forget - sorry). MS From: The Real MaCoy 09/03/2001 2:41:57 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248399 Nhardie,have a look at http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/paralysis.html" stanford uni sleep paralysis page . SLEEP PARALYSIS Updated January 26, 1999 What is sleep paralysis? Sleep paralysis consists of a period of inability to perform voluntary movements either at sleep onset (called hypnogogic or predormital form) or upon awakening (called hypnopompic or postdormtal form). Sleep paralysis may also be referred to as isolated sleep paralysis, familial sleep paralysis, hynogogic or hypnopompic paralysis, predormital or postdormital paralysis What are the symptoms? A complaint of inability to move the trunk or limbs at sleep onset or upon awakening Presence of brief episodes of partial or complete skeletal muscle paralysis Episodes can be associated with hypnagogic hallucinations or dream-like mentation (act or use of the brain) Polysomnography (a sleep recording) shows at least one of the following: suppression of skeletal muscle tone a sleep onset REM period dissociated REM sleep Is it harmful? Sleep paralysis is most often associated with narcolepsy , a neurological condition in which the person has uncontrollable naps. However, there are many people who experience sleep paralysis without having signs of narcolepsy. Sometimes it runs in families. There is no known explanation why some people experience this paralysis. It is not harmful, although most people report feeling very afraid because they do not know what is happening, and within minutes they gradually or abruptly are able to move again; the episode is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body. In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm. What else can you tell me about sleep paralysis? Some people with disrupted sleep schedules or circadian rhythm disturbances experience sleep paralysis A study found that 35% of subjects with isolated sleep paralysis also reported a history of wake panic attacks unrelated to the experience of paralysis Sixteen percent of these persons with isolated sleep paralysis met the criteria for panic disorder How can I stop the sleep paralysis? In severe cases, where episodes take place at least once a week for 6 months, medication may be used. You may be able to minimize the episodes by following good sleep hygiene: getting enough sleep reduce stress exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime) keep a regular sleep schedule From: Courtney ® 09/03/2001 2:46:50 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248404 I found this in a book at home... "One of REM's chief features is the inhibition of motor activity and this may well account for those horrendous fantasies of being rooted to the spot while being pursued by some dreadful creature... Lying in the darkness, unsure whether you are dreaming or awake, and finding you can't move an inch or breathe properly, is a most appalling experience. Though it lasts no more than a few seconds it feels like a lifetime. "Interestingly enough, the experiences of some narcoleptic sufferers may throw a little light on this dark tale : they relate how, during those 'frozen' hallucinatory sessions, they often sense themselves to be victims of intruders who have broken in, and against whom they cannot lift so much as a finger in self defece." From: Courtney ® 09/03/2001 2:49:19 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248406 Phew! I only discovered that book on the shelves at home after having a dream (I thought I was awake) that two people were at my bedroom window. I tried to move, but couldn't, so I tried to tell them to eff off, but all I could say was "fuh". I woke up a few seconds later, and realised I had been actually making the "fuh" sounds for real. Very scary experience. From: Martin Smith (Avatar) 09/03/2001 3:05:35 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248416 It's been associated with many of the ghost/devil/incubis type legends. Where you can't move and there is an evil spirit hovering over you. Happened to me twice in the same night. Even though I knew exactly what was happening, and that it would soon be over it was still a horrible experience. MS From: steve (Avatar) 09/03/2001 5:22:41 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 248432 Carl Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World" covers this stuff very well. It's a good read too. From: Matt 16/06/2001 16:34:16 Subject: re: DREAM PARALISIS post id: 324429 Yah I am another victim of this dream paralysis thing. It's like you have to use EVERY ounce of evergy to regain control over your body, and only at the last gasp of strength you manage to move the tip of your finger, and then all of a sudden, it all comes back. But sometimes, to me, a second wave of paralysis overcomes me, and I have to do it again, although it's not as hard to get out of. And you ARE awake, I know that for a fact. I've experienced it a number of times. And I found that it happened most when I had just been studying for a good 3 hours, and right after gone to bed. About 15 minutes later, I'll barely wake up again, unintentionally, and it will be there. Its like my brain has been so active, studying and all, but yet it wants to sleep as well. Or perhaps we are paralysed so that we don't hurt ourselves in our sleep, but then again, we manage to roll ourselves over many many times during the night to enable the blood to move around our bodies. Its all in our heads, and all natural behaviour I think. Although, even though I know it is happening, its still evident I think there is some huge heavy person (or force even) acting on top of me, holding me down with incredible weight. Another thing, 99% of the time it happens when im lying on my back, so when i eventually regain control over my body, I lie on my side, or stomach, so to avoid the stress of it happening again.. That's my advice to anyone who gets it. Although lately I havent gotten it, yet I have failed more tests lately too.... So what does one do!! Study and get the weird things, or avoid the paralysis and fail. Damn this existence - Dr Poot This forum is un-moderated. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages.