Science Forums 2

[Halo]

I would definitely consult with a doctor; self diagnosis is not always the best. There is a lot of misleading information to be had and only a medical professional would know what is best.

What are your exact symptoms - just temporary paralysis or are there other associated symptoms?

What parts of your body can you not move? Just all four limbs or what?
Do you experience brief or partial feelings of musculoskeletal paralysis?
Do you also experience hypnagogic hallucinations? Feelings of dread, malevolent presence etc?

Did you know the sleep paralysis is often associated with narcolepsy?

If you've had this problem at least once a week for six months - medical intervention can be beneficial.

Still though, you should see your doctor to make sure that it is sleep paralysis and not something more serious. If you still do not wish to consult a physician then here are some things you can do to help avoid sleep paralysis:

-Get adequate amounts of sleep (7-8 hrs a night)
-Exercise regularly, but not too close to bed time.
-Reduce stressors in your life. Leave work at work, home life at home etc.
-Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Do not fluctuate the times you go to bed as this throws off your biological sleep pattern.

Sleep paralysis is really when the body is wakened from a REM cycle into a fully awakened state - there's no fuzzy slowly waking up part - you're just suddenly awake.

Our bodies naturally go through paralysis during REM cycles which happen about 4 to 5 times a night in an adult. They are shorter at the beginning of sleep and get longer near the end and they can range between 90-120 minutes in duration. Sleep paralysis usually happens, like I said, when you are awakened in the middle of a REM cycle where your body is naturally paralyzed.

It is possible that low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves and thus prevent the body from mimicing the dream activity i.e -prohibit the sleeper from running when they are dreaming of running. So, yes it may be a preventative measure to stop someone from sleep walking, however clinical sleep walking is a little bit different. In REM sleep the body releases a chemical to cause the sleep paralysis, in those that sleep walk they lack the chemical and thus end up mimicing what they are dreaming about - this is not always limited to walking.

Sorry I rambled. My final opinion is to go to a doctor to be 100% sure it is what you feel it is. If you do not wish to do that, then follow the recommendations to proventing sleep paralysis that I have outlined above.

Best wishes
Halo