Sleep Paralysis
•Last Updated: October 13, 2024
Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon in which a person is unable to speak or move as they wake up or fall asleep. It can last seconds to minutes and may be accompanied by vivid hallucinations.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
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Risk factors for sleep paralysis
Background
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a transitional dissociative state during which a person remains consciously aware, but the activity of the motor muscles is inhibited. Research suggests that 7.6% of the general population has experienced at least one episode of SP, but its prevalence among students appears to be higher. Little is known about SP, and identifying the risk factors could improve understanding and better manage risk.