Sleep paralysis (SP) and its connection to stress have been repeatedly studied by researchers from different countries. According to authors from the Syiah Kuala University (Indonesia)— Rizki, Aini, and Ismy— in their country, many people still associate SP with supernatural phenomena. This is the case in many cultures around the world since SP (a condition when a person suddenly wakes up and is unable to move their body or speak) may be accompanied by hallucinations that include black shadows and voices.
The researchers recruited 253 medical students as participants. Previously, various scientists have already indicated lack of sleep, narcolepsy, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, sleeping in a supine position, abuse of chemicals, stress, and poor sleep hygiene among the possible causes of SP. Students are especially at risk due to additional sources of stress: academic life, financial difficulties, leaving the parental home, etc.
As the authors explain, sleep paralysis occurs during the REM sleep phase. In a state of stress, the level of the hormone norepinephrine in the body increases, which can disrupt the sleep phases. As a result, a person experiencing stress may suddenly switch to another phase of sleep and get SP.
The study showed that every second participant (51%) experienced stress to some extent, and 87.4% of those who experienced stress suffered from sleep paralysis. At the same time, 100% of respondents who have poor sleep habits have experienced SP (the risk increases significantly if a person sleeps less than 5 hours a night).
Have you noticed an increase in the frequency of SP during periods of stress?
The article was published in September 2022 in the journal Jurnal Kedokteran Syiah Kuala.
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