Humans have always been fascinated by the things that shake their minds and push them to reason about otherworldly existence. The presence of demons in the real world has always been controversial, and people have different beliefs and opinions. One actual problem has been medically fascinating yet very supernatural simultaneously. The medical condition of the sleep paralysis demon has been in the beliefs of many cultures around the world. People experience or feel some supernatural existence around them in the middle of the night. It generally happens amidst deep sleep, and it is a feeling where the person feels as if a demon of some sort is watching them. According to some real-life experiences, people experience the presence of ghosts, dead people, weird animal-like creatures, or even aliens around them with their eyes wide open. During such incidents, the person experiences some sleep paralysis and cannot scream or move even if their mind keeps trying.
The medical sciences have also acknowledged such a condition. According to experts in the field, a sleep paralysis demon is just the brain projecting a person’s nightmare into the real world because of sudden activities amidst deep sleep. There are multiple theories regarding what causes sleep paralysis, but the one most believed is that it is due to rapid eye movement as a person wakes up suddenly, and the brain does not cut off the dreaming. There is no particular age to experience such a thing, but it happens mostly with children in their early years.
Sleep paralysis demon and the Brazilian belief
Different cultures have folklores and stories associated with sleep paralysis demons, as people have been experiencing them worldwide. Brazilians have been the ones who even popularized folklore that is primarily based on sleep paralysis demon. As per the local stories and some famous articles, ‘Pisadeira’ is the tale of a vengeful woman who likes to tremble people in their sleep. There are multiple accounts of such a demon’s existence, with people describing it in many ways. The accounts of a famous Brazilian folklorist Luis Da Camara state that this demon looks like a crone that lurks around in the night with long fingernails. The demon tends to trample its victims’ chests, and people’s different experiences have promoted this folklore. “Pisadeira is the nightmare personified in an old man or woman. The nightmare, or the roman “Nocturna oppression,” has always been explained by the evil intervention of an incubus, a demon or a malevolent spirit. In many cultures, the nightmare – also known as the classic oneirodynia, was due to a giant or a dwarf, a terrible woman or man that, taking advantage that one is sleeping, would sit upon their stomach and pressure their thorax, disturbing one’s breathing,” says Luis Da Camara in his inscriptions and books.
Medical theories about the sleep paralysis demon
Many theories try to explain the reason behind what causes sleep paralysis. The medical world has been fascinated by the otherworldly experiences of people worldwide. For one thing, being watched by a shadow or a demon would creep anyone out and scare them completely. There is a question about the sleep paralysis demon quite a lot; ‘Are they real?’ The definite answer to this question is a little tricky, but the overview suggests some shred of reality in this experience. The medical terms related to sleep paralysis are ‘hypnagogic hallucinations’ and ‘hypnopompic hallucinations. People don’t need to experience the demon’s existence when they suddenly wake up sometimes; they experience such a thing even while asleep but feel as if they are awake.
What happens during sleep paralysis?
As far as these intriguing experiences go, they are intricately connected to a person’s brain activity and sleep cycle. According to a report, approximately 1.7 to 40 per cent of individuals worldwide encounter sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. These surreal occurrences take place within the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) cycle while one is in the realm of slumber.
Sleep paralysis tends to manifest prominently in individuals grappling with stress, PTSD, or sleep deprivation, intensifying its association with the dream world. The peculiar phenomenon unfolds as the eyes open during this sleep cycle. However, the brain refrains from severing ties with the dream segment, allowing it to play out in partial consciousness. It’s almost as if the brain is attempting to subtly project dreams into reality, creating scenarios where one might perceive a shadowy presence, perhaps akin to a sleep paralysis demon, on the ceiling or elsewhere.
The underlying reason behind the occurrence of sleep paralysis lies in the brain’s vigilant effort to shield the body from sudden movements. Strategically blocking signals to the body, the brain induces a state of paralysis, even as the innate desire to scream or flee persists unfulfilled. Individuals often find themselves questioning, ‘why does sleep paralysis happen?’ as they grapple with the intricate interplay between the dream world and waking consciousness.
Related: The Science Behind Sleep
What causes sleep paralysis?
After understanding the part-genuineness of the sleep paralysis demon, another question arises: how to stop sleep paralysis from occurring? To understand how to prevent it, there is a need to understand why sleep paralysis happens. There are medical explanations regarding sleep paralysis in people experiencing some mental instability. Stress and lack of mental peace are agents to support such an experience, but it may happen even after a long alcoholic night or due to heartburn. In some cases, jet lag has also been a reason behind such hallucinations, along with sleep deprivation. Sleep paralysis typically occurs in people who suffer from narcolepsy. People aged 7 to 25 experience abnormalities in their sleep cycle and often go undiagnosed because of the rarity of this medical condition. It is also a primary cause of sleep paralysis since the person’s sleep cycle gets disturbed intrinsically.
How to stop sleep paralysis?
Nobody would want to wake up in the middle of the night only to find a subtle, creepy shadow looming over them, a common unsettling aspect of sleep paralysis. This global issue, while disconcerting, is not insurmountable, and many seek guidance on how to stop sleep paralysis. Managing the sleep cycle emerges as the first line of defense against encountering the sleep paralysis demon. Cultivating a healthy lifestyle and fostering mental peace play pivotal roles in thwarting such hallucinations.
For those who have just experienced this eerie phenomenon, healthy reaffirmations become imperative. Talking to one’s own mind, assuring it that the encounter was not real, and that everything is fine helps dissipate the fear. It’s crucial for those around to avoid discussing supernatural elements and assist in maintaining calmness. Additionally, avoiding sleeping on the back is a simple yet effective measure, as it reduces the likelihood of snoring and sleep apnea, both potential precursors to sleep paralysis.
Incorporating meditation into the routine and maintaining a healthy meal schedule also prove beneficial in managing sleep paralysis. In more severe cases, neurologists and experts have recommended cognitive behavioral therapy as an effective means to address and treat the issue, providing a comprehensive approach to dealing with the specter of the sleep paralysis demon.
More about the sleep paralysis demon
The medical explanation and cultural beliefs about a sleep paralysis demon are very different from one another. But both show how humans constantly strive to understand every common notion that seems out of the ordinary. Some journals and reports suggest how long does sleep paralysis last and the ways to stop it as well. If you are still wondering about ‘how to wake up from sleep paralysis’, then the simple answer is that you experience it for some time and either you wake up or go back to sleep. Dr Baland Jalal, a neuroscientist from Harvard University, suggests that a four-step method can be helpful in case a person has just experienced sleep paralysis. The approach is related to reaffirmation, meditation and calming the mind.
Suppressed muscle tone and signals being subtly blocked by the brain prevent the body’s fluid motion during sleep paralysis, and because of such eerie experience, people often find themselves wondering, ‘Is sleep paralysis dangerous’. Medical professionals and sleep experts have dedicated a considerable amount of time to unravel the mysteries surrounding sleep paralysis demon and understanding why does sleep paralysis happen. In usual scenarios, sleep paralysis is a relatively common phenomenon and is generally nothing to be overly concerned about. However, for individuals dealing with brain-related issues or heightened stress problems, the frequency of encountering the unsettling sleep paralysis demon may increase. In such cases, seeking professional advice for the diagnosis and proper treatment of the problem becomes exceptionally important.
Conclusion
There have been numerous hoaxes and myths circulating about the occurrences of demons at night, particularly prevalent in Chinese, Brazilian, or Egyptian cultures. Even in the US, there are some supernatural beliefs surrounding this medical condition, and it has garnered substantial popularity. Jinn, a renowned figure in Egyptian folklore, contributes to the narrative of a sleep paralysis demon, capable of seamlessly adopting any human, animal, or inanimate form. The intertwining of cultural beliefs and the universal experience of sleep paralysis creates a rich tapestry of myths and stories surrounding the phenomenon. Occurrences of Jinn during sleep paralysis have been a common belief globally, especially in Egypt. Such mythical notions have been put to an end by the medical advancements of the human species. We now know what causes sleep paralysis and how to get it under control. So, there is no need to be worried about the sleep paralysis demon and all those who experience it need to improve their sleep cycle and get a calmer mind.