Thread: Body Paralysis

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes. REM sleep in adult humans typically occupies 20-25% of total sleep, about 90-120 minutes of a night’s sleep.

During REM sleep the body is paralyzed by a mechanism in the brain in order to prevent the movements which occur in the dream from causing the physical body to move. However, it is possible for this mechanism to be triggered before, during, or after normal sleep while the brain awakens.

I often experience body paralysis AFTER I have awoken. I can't usually recall what I was dreaming about, I forgot my dreams quickly after waking. But anyway, I usually wake, but also still feel like I am in a dream state... it's difficult to explain. I am not able to move, although I can see everything around me and I know that I am awake...sort of? I am not making much sense here, but I am unsure of how to describe it. The only thing that bothers me about it, is that I ALWAYS feel frightened and scared until the paralysis goes away. It's been happenening often and I don't like experiencing it.

Anyone get what I am saying; and/or perhaps experience it yourself?