Originally Posted by
Mzzkc
Most in this community aren't as discerning as you--let alone those in the medical field. Due to that (and several other factors), they lump the two terms together and assume inseparability.
Yes, NREM is an umbrella term that encompasses all sleep stages and sensations prior to REM sleep. I don't see how you can refute its applicability as appropriate terminology. What do you experience during WILD attempts? Vibrations? Hypnagogia? Spinning? Floating? Dampened senses? Buzzing?
All of those are characteristic of NREM sleep.
A sense of dread, full-body paralysis, and open-eyed hallucinations are characteristic of conscious sleep paralysis.
Numbness, tingling, a sense of discomfort, and difficulty of movement are characteristic of neither sleep paralysis or NREM. These are however characteristic of a self-induced trance state (aka self-hypnosis) brought about by relaxation, remaining still for a long time, and the belief that you are experiencing "sleep paralysis" and thus cannot move.
Which would you say better matches your experience and definition of "SP"? Which would you say best matches the experiences and definitions of the wider LDing community?
"SP" is already widely used as a non-standardized blanket term. Unfortunately, it encompasses more than it should, which sows confusion, misunderstanding, and misinformation. As a result, newbies waste hours of their lives trying to "reach SP." Is their time so worthless that you feel it unnecessary to even attempt a change in the status quo? I firmly believe everyone's time is precious and allowing newbies to throw away countless hours simply because no one was willing to take action and change the "official" curriculum is an egregious, reprehensible act.
Hence this thread.
I've done what I can. The ball's in your (inclusive) court.