I've tried to search the forum and around the net, but can't seem to find any specific information. Guess I don't really know how to formulate my search.
What I need, is scientific information about what goes on in the brain when you fall asleep. like what kinds of drugs the brain releases, and how it affects the body.

I told a friend about my renewed interest in LD, and among other things the WILD technique. She didn't belive me, and thought you have to be some old monk with total mental control to be able to perform such a task. She didn't believe that one is able to "trick" the mind, and actually have the body fall asleep while remaining consious.
When the talk went to sleep-paralyze, she said that the brain doesn't actually paralyze the body, but only emits some drugs that inhibits the actions of of the body. Sleep-paralyze would only be a product of some kind of momentarily melfunction in the brain.
She's one year from graduating as occupational therapist, so she knows a lot about the brain and what goes on in there, so with my knowledge it's hard to argue with her, other than "well, I've read about a lot of people who have tried it"

So any info on the subject will be very appreciated, and scientific sources will be welcomed with standing ovation