Sleep paralysis is a terrifying state in which a person is unable to move, speak or react. It occurs while you are between wakefulness and sleep. It is most common in young adults and those suffering from mental illnesses.

If you have ever experienced sleep paralysis, you will know that its signs and symptoms are extremely scary. Hearing demonic voices, hallucinating and feeling sharp pain and current are certainly not pleasant!

Here are some of the most interesting facts about sleep paralysis that will help you a little bit and scare you even more.

1. Sleep paralysis involves frightening hallucinations. From demons to aliens, people have reported various sorts of scary visits from unknown entities. But science says that it’s just your brain acting up, or is it?

2. In many religions, it is associated with black magic, malevolent spirits and demonic possession.

3. Sleeping on your back increases the risk of sleep paralysis. If you are prone to sleep paralysis, just try to sleep on your tummy!

4. According to a legend, there is a creature called ‘night hag’ that pays people a visit during sleep paralysis. It sits on the chests of sleepers and paralyse them.

5. In Pakistan, it is considered to be an encounter with Shaitan (Satan) who has taken control of your body.

6. You can’t end sleep paralysis yourself. Sadly, you are trapped in your body and you have to wait it out.

7. On the other hand, if you learn to control and induce sleep paralysis, you can enjoy lucid dreaming and astral projection!

8. Thanks to suffocation and disturbing hallucinations, it feels like as if you are dying slowly and painfully. However, you know that’s not the case! You always wake up safe and sound.

9. Sleep paralysis normally occurs if you are super-tired and sleep deprived!

Yes, sleeping more is the key to get rid of sleep paralysis and its awful signs and symptoms.

Are you going to sleep with the lights on?