Joyce Asks:
I can’t open my eyes but I know that I am awake, I am holding onto my bed so I do not end up flying away. Impossible, but that is what I feel like. I am screaming for it to stop, but I am not really screaming or my husband would have woke up. It is pulling me and I am telling myself to wake.

This is not the 1st time in a few weeks that this has happened. Could I be stressed out or is it possible someone is trying to get me to relax and go for the ride? Any input would be a help.

Lucid’s Thoughts:
Though it can be extremely frightening, it is almost always benign, and you are not alone. Most people will experience this at least once in their life. There are a series of answers to your question, which are both scientific and spiritual.

First of all, yes it can happen more often if you are having some extra stress in your life. And yes it could be “you” wanting to go for that ride and just having a little resistance to it because it is not something you consciously set out to do.

Medically Explanation:
The body releases chemicals while we sleep. These chemicals are released during sleep to keep your muscle movement at bay. This tied down imprisoned feeling is known as Sleep Paralysis.

When we are stressed, the body has a hard time regulating its’ normal levels. Stress hormones tend to reek havoc on the body and mind, making it hard for the body’s chemicals to remain balanced. It lacks production for some and over doses in others.

When you are aroused from your sleep state, the body needs some time to rearrange itself. When you wake up abruptly, the body does not have a chance to adjust, and you could still be in the REM state. (The state of sleep where we dream) This could confuse your reality. Notice that you said you could hold onto your bed, but you could not yell or move.

Spiritually Explanation:
There are many theories about this phenomenon. They say if you are experiencing an OBE (Outer Body Experience), you could hear a buzzing, or feel the sensation like you are spinning; some describe it as a vibration. I believe most of us leave and travel while we sleep. And, I believe we usually do this peacefully, but every now and then we catch ourselves doing it and because it was unexpected we bug out.

It could be that you are experiencing a Lucid Dream. These types of dreams tend to feel so real, that is until you realize you are dreaming; it can be confusing.

These types of experiences are actually welcomed by some, while others are scared almost to death. It is the loss of control and being in that in-between state of consciousness that makes everything so scary. Not everybody wants to go flying off to some unknown territory.

You have some choices. You can try and relax until it passes. If it keeps up and you are still uncomfortable with it, try changing some of your eating habits that may be influencing a light sleep, i.e. caffeine, sugar, heavy fried or spicy foods, even certain medications will disturb a normal sleep pattern. If it really becomes a problem, you may need a sleep aide. Try talking with your family Physician, Pharmacist or health food store clerk.

Then there is always the thought that you could relax into it and see where you go. I personally do not feel that demons will come and steel us out of our bodies. They may try and scare us while we are vulnerable, but a total take over is extremely rare. Otherwise we would all be disappearing.   :)
 

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