Why Sleep Paralysis Happens

Have you ever woken up fully aware but you can’t move for a few seconds?

Why can your mind turn on while your body stays frozen? Sleep paralysis usually

happens right as you’re falling asleep or waking up during a messy handoff between sleep

and wake. During REM sleep, your brain is active and you can dream vividly

but your body is put into muscle-off mode so you don’t act out dreams.

That muscle-off mode is called REM atonia basically temporary paralysis during dreaming. Sleep paralysis is

when you become conscious but the REM atonia hasn’t fully switched off yet.

People often feel chest pressure. That can happen because breathing is still in a