What do you know about Sleep paralysis? What do you think?

I was doing research because I had been recently esperiensing something called Sleep paralysis. The funny thing is that when I was reading throught the info, everything described is what i expecienced. This is what i found.

Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up (known as hypnopompic paralysis) or, less often, shortly before falling asleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis).Physiologically, it is closely related to the normal paralysis that occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.In that, some scientists and physicians believe it to be a "natural" effect of the sleep cycle.Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain is awakened from a REM state into essentially a normal fully awake state, but the bodily paralysis is still occurring. This causes the person to be fully aware, but unable to move. In addition, this state may be accompanied by hypnagogic hallucinations.

I appreciate the comments dearly!
and I would be more than glad to answer any questions,

First sleep paralysis are often assocated with patient that are nacropletic. Sleep paralysis, h. hallucition are REM- related phenomena. As I try to explain to patients is that this happens more with narcolepsy patient b/c their REM sleep invades other parts of sleep and wake cycle. Allowing us to have sleep paralysis, memory lapses, and often automatic behavior without awareness of sleepiness. If this is going on with you and you are excessive sleepy, I would suggest going to see a sleep doctor to get checked for narcolepsy.

Well, I didn't really know anything about sleep paralysis until I read your little passage....interesting. The only thing I know is that Narcolepsy can cause paralysis upon waking up but only briefly.

That's interesting because I also experience sleep paralysis occasionally. The last time it happened I was dreaming that my mom was washing my hair and I couldn't open my eyes b/c I'd get shampoo in them, which somehow turned into full-blown paralysis. What's your question? Is it troubling to you? For me it only happens so rarely that, although it is a little unpleasant, it really isn't a problem.

Years ago I heard a thing on the radio about this. If I remember correctly there is quite a bit of fokelore surrounding this. Things like being ridden by the hag, out of body experiences, and being kidnapped by aliens, are all explanations that various cultures have used to describe what is happening. May be worth more research, good luck.

I also remember hearing that the body does this to keep you from moving during your dreams. For example: if you are running in your dream, you would not be running in your bed. When you wake up before this function is shut off, you are paralysed for a few minutes.

I have had sleep paralysis, a few times.
Once after driving someones Aunt from Ontario, to Nova Scotia Canada. It was for Christmas,and I drove like mad, and drank coffee, and stopped only for the pit stops. She didn't drive.
Well I had to stop I was exhausted, and slap happy and could barely sign the register for the Hotel in New Brunswick.
After bedding down, I feel asleep. I was woke by what I thought was a noise at the door. My body was frozen in place, I could not move, my eyes were open, and I had a form of hallucination. I could have swore a man and woman came in the room. It also felt like the female bumped my bed and leaned on it. I was afraid at first. I tried to force myself to wake up. I couldn't. Then, I mustered up every bit of strength I could and focused on making my legs move. They moved a bit, then I finally got the rest of my body to move. Then I got up and checked the doors, the locks & chains were still bolted, so I realized I experienced some weird form of sleep. I drank some water and went back to bed, and slept with no problem. Of coarse the man and women left by the time I gained my falculties.
The other was when I was at home, there was someone at the door, I jumped up out of a deep sleep. But, landed on the floor. I got up and aswered the door, it was the mail man.

I get sleep paralysis, but it is associated with a rare genetic disorder called Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Disorder. When my potassium drops even .01% I can't move, talk, swallow, and somtimes breathe. I happens mostly in the day, but at night is the worst because I can't get help. I think your paralysis can happen to any one. But it is still scary. When I get mine I just breathe slowly in and out. Concentrate on a single body limb until it moves and then another til it is gone, sometimes that works. Good comments, very informative!

I have had SP for the past few years and I'm trying to accept it rather than dread going to sleep. As much as I tell myself that everything is alright while im experiencing an episode, there's always that fear that someone or something is coming near me, or usually if I get it while im laying on my side i'll feel someone rubbing my back or wrapping their arms around me. I've had both the audio hallucinations and vision hallucinations and also the feeling of being shaken really hard and fast. All you can really do is learn how to cope and live with it.

This is deep girl. Unfortunately I'm an insomniac so I don't get much sleep or dreams, but that is no joke cuz. Maybe you can do some research and find out why it is that when I do get sleep they are all nightmares, and then I wake up right before I die. And thanks for answering my question cousin . . .love you!!!!!!!!!!!