Sleep paralysis is defined as the inability to move due to muscle paralysis during REM sleep or dream phase. This is often an unpleasant experience that can have serious clinical consequences. However, scientists are inclined to hypothesize that this state also may be experienced as pleasant.
In the scientific study published in August 2020, authors Monika Kliková, Brian A. Sharpless and Jitka Bušková attempted to determine the relative prevalence of pleasant episodes of sleep paralysis, as well as elements that may increase the possibility of their manifestation.
172 participants with recurrent episodes of sleep paralysis filled out a series of questionnaires that analyzed sleep paralysis episodes, trauma symptoms, life satisfaction, and personality traits. It turned out that pleasant sleep paralysis is a rather common phenomenon – 23% of respondents reported experiencing it before.
Contrary to expectations, neither lower trauma symptoms nor higher life satisfaction were associated with a positive experience of sleep paralysis. However, the ability to lucid dream and a higher level of openness to new experiences seemed to increase the likelihood of pleasant episodes. Future research will show whether this discovery has clinical implications.
The study was published in August 2020 in the scientific magazine Journal of Sleep Research.
