What is the Sleep Paralysis Experience?
Graphic Warning!!!
Imagine feeling very tired, going to bed and quickly falling asleep.Â
Your rest is soon disturbed though, by some sort of rustling noise. You open your eyes and recognize the normal features of your bedroom in the shadowy darkness, but, when you try to sit up, you realize that you are paralyzed; you are unable to move your arms or legs or even turn your head.
With sudden, sickening dread and overwhelming terror, you sense an evil presence approaching. You struggle and try to scream for help, but you still cannot move or make a sound. A sinister being looms over you for a moment, then climbs onto your bed and settles heavily on your chest, crushing the breath out of you.
-Taken from Shelley Adler’s book: Sleep Paralysis Nightmare, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection
The description above eloquently describes the experience of sleep paralysis.
Research has shown that the Sleep Paralysis experience is consistent regardless of age, gender, geographical location, or culture. To understand the physical symptoms of sleep paralysis here is another example that will help.
I am 52 years old. My [night-mares] started in my mid-20s. I remember the first time it happened. I had a new baby and was napping in the afternoon because I also worked in the evenings. Suddenly, I was wide awake except for the fact that my eyes were still closed and I was completely paralyzed. I have never been so terrified in my life. I KNEW someone else was in the room. I could hear them moving around. I felt like I was in grave danger.
Then I KNOW I felt someone sit down on the bed right next to me! I tried to scream. . . . I was struggling and struggling but I couldn’t even move a finger. Finally, the episode passed and I woke up perfectly fine. I thought I was going crazy and never mentioned it to anyone. I still don’t bring it up much because I get THAT LOOK from people who don’t know what you’re talking about. I have had several episodes since then. . . . I have never opened my eyes . . . and that is a blessing because if I ever did and saw something looking back at me I would probably die in my sleep.
– Taken from Shelley Adler’s book: Sleep Paralysis Nightmare, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection
An estimated 1 in 20 persons have experienced sleep paralysis globally. The experience is the same for each person and to date, the medical community has no conclusive treatment to stop the episodes. The experience can be extremely distressing for experiencers and in future newsletters we’ll talk more about what the sleep paralysis experience is, and what you can do to reduce and transcend the experiences.
Please post any questions in the comments section below. I’ll be answering questions at the end of the month and look forward to sharing them with you.
Dont Forget to Sign up for the research
I’m looking for people to take part in my research. As a long-term experiencer of sleep paralysis, this topic is of particular importance not only to me personally but also to anyone who has similar experiences and the wider public.  Your consideration of taking part in this project is greatly appreciated.
What is the purpose of the study?
The aims of my research are to explore how sleep paralysis experiences are made sense of and managed in terms of social interaction and individually by the experiencers.  Ultimately, my research will ask: How does society respond if you say that you experienced sleep paralysis? And, how does the individual make sense of the experience to ensure that their everyday lives are not negatively impacted?
If you are interested in taking part or know someone who would like to take part, send an email saying that you’re interested, to: info@sheilaprycebrooks.com and I’ll get back in touch with you
Hello Sheila. This has happened to me frequently. A whooshing sound enters the room, the heaviness of someone pushing down on me, total paralysis & I have found that if I pray, the presence leaves. Very unpleasant.
Hello June and Sheila, I used to have sleep paralysis too and just like you would pray, praying for light would actually transform them and let them go to the light, it was quite a profound experience. My experience is that they need help and guidance to the light, as Sheila so eloquently said in her recent episode about communicating with people who have transitioned, they lack the light. This was helpful as I never saw it that way before, so thank you Sheila!
Then I stopped having the sleep paralysis for over 15 years, but recently I had sleep paralysis and I prayed and managed to speak to the spirit, "to go to the light, it is where you belong" and the spirit didn't go to the light but I haven't had a visit since. I used to be so scared of those spirits but now with the help of authentic experienced teachers in my life I feel more grounded and know what is happening. Thank you for this platform Sheila, I find it really helpful to connect with others with similar experiences.