Maybe you’ve seen the meme: “This is my sleep paralysis demon: [insert photo].” The viral idea builds on a very real condition in which a person is conscious but unable to move. In some cases, people ...

What are sleep paralysis demons? Sleep paralysis demons are nightmarish hallucinations that often accompany episodes of sleep paralysis. This occurs when the temporary paralysis, which is a normal ...

Imagine waking up in bed, eyes wide open, fully aware of your surroundings—yet you can’t move a muscle. You try to call out but no sound comes. Your chest feels heavy, your breathing shallow. Out of ...

Imagine awakening to find yourself completely unable to move or speak, perhaps feeling intense pressure on your chest, struggling to breathe, or even seeing strange figures in your bedroom. This ...

Sleep paralysis is "a condition where you feel paralyzed just before falling asleep or, more commonly, when you first wake up in the morning," says Kevin Walker, MD, the medical director of ...

Have you ever opened your eyes in the middle of the night and realized you could not move a single part of your body? Your brain feels awake, but your arms, legs, even your voice, feel locked. Some ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Mark Travers writes about the world of psychology. Imagine waking up from a peaceful night’s sleep, only to find yourself unable ...

Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified ...

Sleep paralysis is the phenomenon of being unable to move upon waking from sleep. Episodes generally last for a few minutes. These episodes are often described as scary, and sometimes they’re ...

Sarah Bradley is a writer with six years of experience creating personal essays, reported features, and content related to health and parenting topics. Sleep paralysis involves being awake but unable ...