Thread: Sleep paralysis or Demon

Sleep paralysis can happen when your body is very tired, and your mind has a lot going on. I come across it unintentionally when I'm stressed out. But it can also be induced.

Maybe somebody in your house is smoking some drugs >.>, After my sister moved out I haven't had SP since and she took ALOT of drugs. Never took anything too serious,(too much) and she had alot of variety so she never became addicted to anything but weed(it is addictive, just not very much)

It must've been a sheer coincidence. Like QuietWhun said, it can happen when you're really tired, or when you're stressed out. I got sleep paralysis a day after my mom got it, once, but that was just because both of us were super tired.

Hallucinations usually take the guise of a presence in the room, a weight on your chest, audio hallucinations, or visual hallucinations. More often than not, they're frightening; I read once that they're usually frightening because some part of your brain is overactive during this state. But you can also get nice hallucinations too, like the feeling that you're floating on water. I saw a white kitten on my bed once.

Originally Posted by Puffin

More often than not, they're frightening

Not necesarily. I'd say the frightening stuff is talked about more, but I'm not so sure it's really frightening so often. I don't really know for sure. However, the sensation of a weight on one's chest seems to be fairly common hallucination (where do you think the idea of an incubus came from?).

I guess it was just sleep paralysis, but I forgot to mention that I was also having vibrations like crazy that I actually thought I was really shaking and a high pitched sound and a rumble in my ears.

There go those damn vibrations again.


Anyway man, asking if SP is really SP or maybe a demon is like asking if lightning is really an atmospheric discharge of energy...or could be it be Zeus at work?

I know they used to think it was demons, but mankind is slowly trading their crazy supernatural ideas for science.


Edit: That sounded a little schmucky. Let me add that I know during the SP it can seem really scary, and really freaky. But it's no different than the hallucinations you have while on certain drugs, or even the nightmares during normal sleep. It may seem real at the time, but the explanation is pretty mundane.

And if you *really* think you were the victim of a fallen angel camping out on your chest, check out the 'Beyond Dreaming' forum.

The hallucinations will vary, at the very beginning it will shake you up. Kind of like the first time on a roller coaster, you don't know what to expect. However, the more you experience it, the less of a hallucination you may get. I had so many episodes I just relax, and either slip into an LD, or just a good nights rest. Just last week I had an episode and I kid you not it felt as if I was being pushed off the bed and actually seen myself get closer to the edge of my bed. As I said I stay relaxed and next thing I know I woke up.
If it happens again, don't freak out, try wiggling your fingers or toes. At the very beginning this is what I would do to slip out of it.

Originally Posted by Velzhaed

There go those damn vibrations again.


Anyway man, asking if SP is really SP or maybe a demon is like asking if lightning is really an atmospheric discharge of energy...or could be it be Zeus at work?

I know they used to think it was demons, but mankind is slowly trading their crazy supernatural ideas for science.


Edit: That sounded a little schmucky. Let me add that I know during the SP it can seem really scary, and really freaky. But it's no different than the hallucinations you have while on certain drugs, or even the nightmares during normal sleep. It may seem real at the time, but the explanation is pretty mundane.

And if you *really* think you were the victim of a fallen angel camping out on your chest, check out the 'Beyond Dreaming' forum.

The reason I thought it was real because me and my brother both had it for the first time with 3 days apart and felt the exact same thing so I thought that the demon drained him and then came for me lol . but it might have been a coincidence like Puffin said, but anyway thanks for the reply's I'll be sure to stay calm next time .

Purely coincidental. Vibrations...violent sensations...loud throbbing...music...audio/visual hallucinations...pressure on the chest...shadowy figures...etc. etc. etc. all characteristic of SP. Nothing paranormal about it. Personally I have never likened SP to an old hag or anything sitting on my chest. I think when people read about it though, they tend to associate the two things in their mind. Since someone mentioned it, the idea of Incubi/Sucubi likely originated from experiences of sleep paralysis, and became a common explanation for unexplained pregnancies of young virgin girls during the middle ages (more likely a convenient cover up for incest and rape).

One good way to avoid sleep paralysis is not to sleep in the supine position (flat on your back, head pointed toward ceiling). Of course, sometimes it's difficult to avoiding sleeping in this position if you just happen to roll onto your back in the middle of the night...but it's a good idea to avoid this particular position when you can...unless you are attempting to trigger SP, such as during a WILD attempt.

Originally Posted by Puffin

I read once that they're usually frightening because some part of your brain is overactive during this state.

The fear center of your brain is overactive during this. It is called the amygdala or something like that. Not sure if I spelled it right.

That used to happen to me as a kid. I would wake paralyzed and sometimes I was holding my breath. But == if that ever happens to me again ..I'm gonna say a prayer out loud ..just in case !!

Yes, exactly!
That's what it was called.