Sleep Paralysis Explained by a Harvard Expert

WooGlobe

Ever wake up unable to move, speak, or scream—while a terrifying presence lurks in your room? That’s sleep paralysis, and it’s more common than you think. In this video, Harvard sleep expert Dr. Baland Jalal explains what actually happens to your body during this frightening experience. From shadowy figures to full-body paralysis, we break down the science behind sleep paralysis, why it happens, and how you can prevent it. Watch until the end—you’ll never look at sleep the same way again. WooGlobe Ref : WGA196004 For licensing and to use this video, please email licensing@wooglobe.com

Transcript

00:00Imagine waking up, fully alert, but you can't move an inch.

00:03You try to scream, but no sound comes out.

00:06Then, a shadowy figure creeps in,

00:09and it feels like pure evil is sitting on your chest.

00:12That's sleep paralysis.

00:13And it's not just a bad dream.

00:16Dr. Balan Jalal, a Harvard researcher and sleep paralysis sufferer,

00:20described it best.

00:21He said it felt like all the evil of the universe had entered his bedroom.

00:25He was being strangled by a monster,

00:26and was certain he was going to die.

00:29So what's really going on here?

00:31During REM sleep, your body shuts down movement so you don't act out your dreams.

00:36But sometimes, your brain wakes up before your body does.

00:39You're conscious but frozen.

00:41This terrifying disconnect can last up to 20 minutes.

00:45And the monsters?

00:46They're your brain's desperate attempt to make sense of the paralysis.

00:50Some cultures see witches.

00:52Others, demons or genies.

00:54But it's all your mind trying to escape the fear.

00:56Sleep deprivation, stress, even sleeping on your back can trigger it.

01:01Want to avoid it?

01:03Cut back on caffeine and alcohol before bed,

01:05and try sleeping on your side.

01:07Because when your dreams get hijacked by fear,

01:10even your bedroom can become a nightmare.

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