Sleep paralysis is a complex phenomenon at the intersection of neurobiology, psychiatry, genetics, and cultural beliefs. American researcher Zarif Bin Akhtar examined 60 scientific papers on this topic and found that the way this phenomenon is perceived in your society—for example, as a demon or contact with ancestors—affects ways of coping with paralysis and related emotions. Psychological issues such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression also matter.
Physiologically, at the moment when sleep paralysis occurs, there is a malfunction between the rapid eye movement (REM) state and wakefulness—the body is paralyzed, but the brain wakes up. EEG analysis shows that this is a transitional state between sleep and reality. Certain areas of the brain (the amygdala and parietal lobe) and chemical substances (neurotransmitters) play an important role in this phenomenon. Genetic predisposition is also important, as genes associated with circadian rhythms and sleep regulation have been found to influence the likelihood of paralysis.
Thus, treatment should be comprehensive. Not only should the person’s physiology be considered, but so should their psychology, culture, and genetics. Possible treatments include trauma therapy, sleep work, and VR technologies that recreate the experience of sleep paralysis in a safe environment.
Have you noticed that sleep paralysis is a family problem?
The article was published in July 2025 in the Journal of Pain Research and Management.
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