Thread: Sleep Paralasys-only happens to LDers?

It can happen to anyone, don't worry

I had SP a lot more when i had no knowledge of lucid dreaming then when I knew about it.

Aww thanks! I only heared of it since I started LDing so I got a bit worried.

I started experiencing SP when I was 11, long before I even heard of LDing. So anyone can experience it, in fact, studies suggest that everybody is going to experience SP at least once in their lifetime. But it can be a good thing, it used to happen to me so often that by the time I got into LDing, I was very good at WILDing b/c I already had experience with SP.

Originally Posted by concordeloverx

Just wondering if it happens to non lucids also, or if the chances of it happening are increased when you are lucid. I just have a massive fear of it happening and would feel better if it could happen to anyone.

It does indeed happen to non lucids.
Its still called sleep paralysis, or Isolated Sleep Paralysis.
Its technically defined as a sleep syndrome.

People get it without really understanding what its about.
I've read forums where people genuinely believe in demonic presence, and keep the bible under their pillow and use prayer to fight it.

Its also highly probable that all the tales of alien abduction are SP hallucinations.

The mind fills in what it expects. If your religious you expect demons.
If your a ufo nut you expect aliens.

The link between LDs and SP is largely due to the fact that people searching for answers on SP often stumble upon DV.

Just wondering if it happens to non lucids also

Well, duh. In the REM state your body is paralyzed, so EVERYONE experiences SP EVERY NIGHT. Most people just don't know about it p;

Originally Posted by Mertruve

Well, duh. In the REM state your body is paralyzed, so EVERYONE experiences SP EVERY NIGHT. Most people just don't know about it p;

No, everyone does not technically experience SP. When your body is paralyzed in REM sleep, its called REM Atonia. SP is when one wakes up during REM Atonia and hence, experiences SP.

They talk all about the difference between SP and REM Atonia in this thread.

Originally Posted by WolfeDreamer531

No, everyone does not technically experience SP. When your body is paralyzed in REM sleep, its called REM Atonia. SP is when one wakes up during REM Atonia and hence, experiences SP.

They talk all about the difference between SP and REM Atonia in this thread.

SP and REM Atonia are essentially the same thing.

You forgot to mention that THOR simply doesn't accept the fact that Lucid Dreamers can enter SP during WILD transitions. His assertion is that its ONLY those who suffer SP as a sleep disorder who get it.

Except to clear up inaccurate use of terminology, can we please leave the REM atonia vs SP debate to the 8+ threads devoted to it, guys? Rem atonia- paralysis of your body during REM sleep. Sleep Paralysis: rem atonia activated outside of rem sleep. These are the scientific, medical definitions and to use them otherwise is inaccurate.

Originally Posted by Shift

Except to clear up inaccurate use of terminology, can we please leave the REM atonia vs SP debate to the 8+ threads devoted to it, guys? Rem atonia- paralysis of your body during REM sleep. Sleep Paralysis: rem atonia activated outside of rem sleep.

if only we could.

Well, one thing I can say about starting LD'ing, is that at least I am more aware of what is happening to me during SP. It is more of an annoyance to me, more than before. It used to be frightening, and caused me many nights of sleep when I was little. I still have these occurrences, when I drink choco milk or eat something with sugar in it before bed, but it isn't scary anymore.

Btw, I advise anyone to not consume any sugar related drinks or food and see what happens with SP. At least for me, that is mostly what causes it. Actually, if I wake up after 4 hours, and drink a glass of chocolate milk, I am guaranteed to have an SP event at least 3 times before I can go to sleep again. I make it an effort to make sure I don't drink anything but water before bed.

I ramble, basically it becomes less scary when you know what it is, and it becomes even lesser scary, when you experience it 20+ times. :O