Top 32 How To Feel Like You’Re Floating In Bed All Answers

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Why do I feel like I’m floating in my sleep?

Abstract. Research suggests that a sensation of floating prior to sleep may be indicative of several sleep-related phenomena such as sleep paralysis, hypnagogic imagery, and out-of-body experiences (OBEs).

Can you sleep floating?

This salty solution is so dense that our bodies naturally float on the surface of the water, just like a cork. The buoyancy is so great that it’s even safe to fall asleep during your float.

Why do I feel like I’m sinking into my mattress?

Sagging is typically the result of normal wear-and-tear to your mattress. The foam materials used in mattresses tend to soften over time, as they are exposed to significant pressure every night from the sleeper’s body. Over time, this gradual softening of foam leads to a feeling of sagging, and less even support.

Why do I float during sleep paralysis?

A neurological hypothesis is that in sleep paralysis the mechanisms which usually coordinate body movement and provide information on body position become activated and, because there is no actual movement, induce a floating sensation.

Why do I feel like levitating?

The floating sensation or feeling unbalanced is often associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection that can cause imbalance. Other causes of a floating feeling include atrial fibrillation or temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorder.

What causes a person to jerk at night?

Certain risk factors may increase your likelihood of experiencing a hypnic jerk, including excessive caffeine and stimulant consumption, vigorous exercise before sleep, emotional stress, and sleep deprivation.

Is sensory deprivation scary?

For some people, spending time in a dark, quiet, enclosed space is a scary experience. If this is the case, a person may not enjoy their time in the tank. Although a person could technically drown in the flotation tank, the occurrence of this accident is extremely rare.

Can you drown in a bathtub if you fall asleep?

Adults can fall, hit their head, lose consciousness and drown or fall asleep/pass out and drown,” says geriatric medicine specialist Dr. William D. Rhoades with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill.

Can you pee in a float tank?

Being in a tank with complete sensory deprivation means hyper body awareness. I like to have a very light meal or nothing at all before a float so my mind isn’t drawn to focus on my digestive system. And avoiding liquids is pretty cut and dry – you can’t pee in the tank! (Seriously, don’t pee in the tank.)

Does sleep paralysis make you feel like you’re floating?

Some people with sleep paralysis report tingling, numbness, or a vibrating sensation. Others describe a sense of floating, flying, or falling. A few people report feeling chilled or freezing. Less often, people feel like they’re being physically moved or dragged from their beds.

Can you feel someone touching you while sleeping?

They may be mistaken for nightmares, and they can occur while falling asleep (hypnagogic) or waking up (hypnopompic). During these hallucinations, you may feel someone touching you, hear sounds or words, or see people or creatures near you or even lying in your bed.

What is sleep paralysis demon?

You feel paralyzed and are unable to speak or move. It can last a few seconds or a few minutes, and feel quite disturbing. While experiencing sleep paralysis, you might hallucinate vivid waking dreams, which can lead to feelings of intense fear and high levels of anxiety.

Is it OK to sleep in the bathtub?

In order to be comfortable for an entire night of sleep, the bathtub must be long enough for you to stretch out in and wide enough that your shoulders won’t be cramped and you can keep your spine in alignment so your back won’t hurt in the morning.

Does floating make you tired?

Floating will reduce stress and give your body a chance to sleep making it perfect for those with insomnia.

Is sleeping in space comfortable?

In space, sleeping on the floor is just as comfortable as sleeping on the wall: there is no difference in the weightless environment. However, since astronauts are used to sleeping on a mattress on Earth, their sleeping bag has a rigid cushion, to exert pressure on their back.


2 Illusions That Will Make You Feel Like You’re Floating
2 Illusions That Will Make You Feel Like You’re Floating


how to feel like you’re floating in bed

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Floating On Water: Why You Can’t Float At Home | True REST Float Spa

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How to Fix a Sagging Mattress | Sleep Foundation

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How to Fix a Sagging Mattress

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Learn more about Mattress Information

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Sleep paralysis – Wikipedia

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Contents

Symptoms and signs[edit]

Pathophysiology[edit]

Diagnosis[edit]

Prevention[edit]

Treatment[edit]

Epidemiology[edit]

Society and culture[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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Sleep paralysis - Wikipedia
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Why do I feel like I’m floating when I fall in and out of a sleep? – Quora

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Why do I feel like I’m floating when I fall in and out of a sleep? – Quora The feeling of falling when dozing or just about to fall asleep is caused by your heart skipping a beat and a sudden temporary collapse in blood pressure. This … …
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Why do I feel like I'm floating when I fall in and out of a sleep? - Quora
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Floating feeling before sleep ? – Tiny Buddha

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how to feel like you’re floating in bed

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Causes For Floating Feeling | Why am I Feeling Unbalanced | Buoy

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Causes For Floating Feeling | Why am I Feeling Unbalanced | Buoy The floating sensation or feeling unbalanced is often associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection that can cause imbalance. Other causes of a floating … The floating sensation or feeling unbalanced is often associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection that can cause imbalance. Other causes of a floating feeling include atrial fibrillation or temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorder. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options.
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9 most common causes

9 causes of imbalance or floating feeling

Questions your doctor may ask about imbalance or floating feeling

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Floating Sensation While Sleeping- 66 Questions Answered | Practo Consult

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How to Fix a Sagging Mattress

Is your mattress not as comfortable as it once was? Have you noticed some sagging in the areas that you sleep on most? This article will discuss how to fix a sagging mattress, and when it’s time to buy a new bed.

Sagging is one of the most common complaints from mattress owners. All mattresses will sag eventually, and this effect will have a significant impact on the bed’s feel and comfort. Thankfully, there are a few things that mattress owners can do to help minimize the effects of sagging.

How to Fix a Sagging Mattress

Unfortunately, you can’t really “fix” a sagging mattress. The only true fix is to send it in to the manufacturer for repairs, or to replace it completely.

With that said, there are several things that mattress owners can do to minimize the effects of sagging. These strategies vary in effectiveness, depending on the age of the mattress and the severity of the sagging. Here are a few strategies that you can try:

1. Use a Mattress Topper

Purchasing a mattress topper can help you sleep more comfortably on a mattress that is sagging. As the name suggests, mattress toppers are simply placed on top of your bed, offering an additional layer of comfort on top of the existing mattress.

Mattress toppers are sold individually as accessories, and usually feature 2 to 5 inches of foam, latex, wool, down, down alternative, or feathers. In the case of countering mattress sagging, the thicker toppers made from denser materials tend to perform best.

A good mattress topper can help reduce the effects of a sagging mattress by providing a more even sleep surface. Toppers are a popular option for folks who are not yet ready to purchase a new mattress, but want to improve the comfort of their existing bed. In other words, a mattress topper won’t fix a sagging mattress, but it’s an affordable temporary measure to improve your comfort.

2. Rotate the Mattress

Unless the manufacturer specifically recommends against it, most mattresses should be rotated regularly. By rotating a mattress, swapping the foot and head of the bed, you can extend its lifespan significantly. Regularly rotating a bed will help to prevent premature sagging. Doing so every three to six months is a good rule of thumb.

If your mattress is already sagging, rotating it can still help. Excessive sagging tends to occur in the areas of the mattress that are put under the most pressure by the sleeper’s body. This tends to be the areas around the hips and shoulders. Rotating your mattress allows the heavier parts of your body to rest on areas of the mattress that are not yet sagging.

Note: Most mattresses should not be flipped, unless it is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Most modern mattresses are designed to be one-sided, so flipping them will generally result in poor comfort and an increased chance of damage to the bed.

3. Replace the Foundation

In many cases, the foundation of your bed can contribute to premature mattress sagging. Foundations with fewer than six legs can often cause premature sagging, as there is less support around the center of the mattress. Similarly, foundations that utilize slats can also cause sagging issues, particularly in the areas that fall in between the support of the slats. Older foundations can also wear out over time.

The type of foundation that’s best suited to your mattress depends on several factors. It’s best to check with the manufacturer of your mattress for guidance on the foundation style you should be using. Many manufacturers specify the minimum allowable distance between the support slats, which also often impacts your mattress’ warranty.

4. Use Extra Pillows

As a temporary measure to counter sagging, some people use extra pillows placed in the areas where the mattress is sagging. Some like to sleep with a pillow underneath their hips, back, or legs. For this purpose, pillows with good shape retention are best.

Some guides suggest putting pillows underneath the mattress itself, to help prop up areas that are sagging. We do not recommend this strategy, as it can accelerate the aging of the mattress by preventing even support.

5. Explore Warranty Coverage

If your mattress is sagging, it’s definitely worth checking the terms of your manufacturer’s warranty. If the damage is caused by a covered reason, you may be able to get your bed repaired, or even replaced, by the manufacturer.

What Causes a Mattress to Sag?

Sagging is typically the result of normal wear-and-tear to your mattress. The foam materials used in mattresses tend to soften over time, as they are exposed to significant pressure every night from the sleeper’s body. Over time, this gradual softening of foam leads to a feeling of sagging, and less even support.

In innerspring and hybrid mattresses, sagging is also common. The metal coils used in these beds tend to lose tension over time while the comfort layers soften, leading to less rigid support in problem areas.

Sagging usually occurs in the areas that are exposed to the most pressure. Typically, this includes areas that support the hips and shoulders.

A sagging mattress will provide uneven support, which can significantly reduce comfort and sleep quality.

When to Replace Your Mattress

If your mattress is sagging, it may need to be replaced. The strategies described in this article are meant to provide temporary improvements for a sagging mattress, but they won’t fix the root problem.

Generally, mattresses should be replaced every 6 to 10 years. If your mattress begins to sag excessively, it should be replaced as soon as possible.

Sleep paralysis

Sleep state in which a person is awake but unable to move or speak

Medical condition

Sleep paralysis is a state, during waking up or falling asleep, in which a person is aware but unable to move or speak.[1][2] During an episode, one may hallucinate (hear, feel, or see things that are not there), which often results in fear.[1] Episodes generally last less than a couple of minutes.[2] It may recur or occur as a single episode.[1]

The condition may occur in those who are otherwise healthy or those with narcolepsy, or it may run in families as a result of specific genetic changes.[2] The condition can be triggered by sleep deprivation, psychological stress, or abnormal sleep cycles.[2] The underlying mechanism is believed to involve a dysfunction in REM sleep.[2] Sleep paralysis is commonly experienced by lucid dreamers; some lucid dreamers use this as a method of having a lucid dream.[3] Diagnosis is based on a person’s description.[2] Other conditions that can present similarly include narcolepsy, atonic seizure, and hypokalemic periodic paralysis.[2]

Treatment options for sleep paralysis have been poorly studied.[1] It is recommended that people be reassured that the condition is common and generally not serious.[1] Other efforts that may be tried include sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy, and antidepressants.[1]

Between 8% and 50% of people experience sleep paralysis at some point in their life.[2][4] About 5% of people have regular episodes.[2] Males and females are affected equally.[2] Sleep paralysis has been described throughout history.[1] It is believed to have played a role in the creation of stories about alien abduction and other paranormal events.[1]

Symptoms and signs [ edit ]

The main symptom of sleep paralysis is being unable to move or speak during awakening.[1]

Imagined sounds such as humming, hissing, static, zapping and buzzing noises are reported during sleep paralysis.[5] Other sounds such as voices, whispers and roars are also experienced. It has also been known that one may feel pressure on their chest and intense pain in their head during an episode.[6] These symptoms are usually accompanied by intense emotions such as fear and panic.[7] People also have sensations of being dragged out of bed or of flying, numbness, and feelings of electric tingles or vibrations running through their body.[8]

Sleep paralysis may include hypnagogic hallucinations, such as a stranger or dark figure in the room, supernatural creature suffocating or terrifying the individual, accompanied by a feeling of pressure on one’s chest and difficulty breathing.[9]

Pathophysiology [ edit ]

The pathophysiology of sleep paralysis has not been concretely identified, although there are several theories about its cause.[10] The first of these stems from the understanding that sleep paralysis is a parasomnia resulting from dysfunctional overlap of the REM and waking stages of sleep.[11] Polysomnographic studies found that individuals who experience sleep paralysis have shorter REM sleep latencies than normal along with shortened NREM and REM sleep cycles, and fragmentation of REM sleep.[12] This study supports the observation that disturbance of regular sleeping patterns can precipitate an episode of sleep paralysis, because fragmentation of REM sleep commonly occurs when sleep patterns are disrupted and has now been seen in combination with sleep paralysis.[12]

Another major theory is that the neural functions that regulate sleep are out of balance in such a way that causes different sleep states to overlap.[8] In this case, cholinergic sleep “on” neural populations are hyperactivated and the serotonergic sleep “off” neural populations are under-activated.[8] As a result, the cells capable of sending the signals that would allow for complete arousal from the sleep state, the serotonergic neural populations, have difficulty in overcoming the signals sent by the cells that keep the brain in the sleep state.[8] During normal REM sleep, the threshold for a stimulus to cause arousal is greatly elevated. Under normal conditions, medial and vestibular nuclei, cortical, thalamic, and cerebellar centers coordinate things such as head and eye movement, and orientation in space.[8]

In individuals reporting sleep paralysis, there is almost no blocking of exogenous stimuli, which means it is much easier for a stimulus to arouse the individual.[8] The vestibular nuclei in particular has been identified as being closely related to dreaming during the REM stage of sleep.[8] According to this hypothesis, vestibular-motor disorientation, unlike hallucinations, arise from completely endogenous sources of stimuli.[13]

If the effects of sleep “on” neural populations cannot be counteracted, characteristics of REM sleep are retained upon awakening. Common consequences of sleep paralysis include headaches, muscle pains or weakness or paranoia. As the correlation with REM sleep suggests, the paralysis is not complete: use of EOG traces shows that eye movement is still possible during such episodes; however, the individual experiencing sleep paralysis is unable to speak.[14]

Research has found a genetic component in sleep paralysis.[15] The characteristic fragmentation of REM sleep, hypnopompic, and hypnagogic hallucinations have a heritable component in other parasomnias, which lends credence to the idea that sleep paralysis is also genetic.[16] Twin studies have shown that if one twin of a monozygotic pair (identical twins) experiences sleep paralysis that other twin is very likely to experience it as well.[16] The identification of a genetic component means that there is some sort of disruption of a function at the physiological level. Further studies must be conducted to determine whether there is a mistake in the signaling pathway for arousal as suggested by the first theory presented, or whether the regulation of melatonin or the neural populations themselves have been disrupted.

Hallucinations [ edit ]

My Dream, My Bad Dream, 1915, by Fritz Schwimbeck A picture of a succubus -like vision, in contrast to the incubus., 1915, by Fritz Schwimbeck

Several types of hallucinations have been linked to sleep paralysis: the belief that there is an intruder in the room, the presence of an incubus, and the sensation of floating.[13] A neurological hypothesis is that in sleep paralysis the mechanisms which usually coordinate body movement and provide information on body position become activated and, because there is no actual movement, induce a floating sensation.[13]

The intruder and incubus hallucinations highly correlate with one another, and moderately correlated with the third hallucination, vestibular-motor disorientation, also known as out-of-body experiences,[13] which differ from the other two in not involving the threat-activated vigilance system.[17]

Threat hyper-vigilance [ edit ]

A hyper-vigilant state created in the midbrain may further contribute to hallucinations.[8] More specifically, the emergency response is activated in the brain when individuals wake up paralyzed and feel vulnerable to attack.[13] This helplessness can intensify the effects of the threat response well above the level typical of normal dreams, which could explain why such visions during sleep paralysis are so vivid.[13] The threat-activated vigilance system is a protective mechanism that differentiates between dangerous situations and determines whether the fear response is appropriate.[13]

The hyper-vigilance response can lead to the creation of endogenous stimuli that contribute to the perceived threat.[8] A similar process may explain hallucinations, with slight variations, in which an evil presence is perceived by the subject to be attempting to suffocate them, either by pressing heavily on the chest or by strangulation.[13] A neurological explanation holds that this results from a combination of the threat vigilance activation system and the muscle paralysis associated with sleep paralysis that removes voluntary control of breathing.[13] Several features of REM breathing patterns exacerbate the feeling of suffocation.[13] These include shallow rapid breathing, hypercapnia, and slight blockage of the airway, which is a symptom prevalent in sleep apnea patients.[8]

According to this account, the subjects attempt to breathe deeply and find themselves unable to do so, creating a sensation of resistance, which the threat-activated vigilance system interprets as an unearthly being sitting on their chest, threatening suffocation.[8] The sensation of entrapment causes a feedback loop when the fear of suffocation increases as a result of continued helplessness, causing the subjects to struggle to end the SP episode.[13]

Diagnosis [ edit ]

Sleep paralysis is mainly diagnosed via clinical interview and ruling out other potential sleep disorders that could account for the feelings of paralysis.[10][11] Several measures are available to reliably diagnose[17][18] or screen (Munich Parasomnia Screening)[19] for recurrent isolated sleep paralysis.

Diagnosis [ edit ]

Episodes of sleep paralysis can occur in the context of several medical conditions (e.g., narcolepsy, hypokalemia). When episodes occur independent of these conditions or substance use, it is termed “isolated sleep paralysis” (ISP).[18] When ISP episodes are more frequent and cause clinically significant distress or interference, it is classified as “recurrent isolated sleep paralysis” (RISP). Episodes of sleep paralysis, regardless of classification, are generally short (1–6 minutes), but longer episodes have been documented.[8]

It can be difficult to differentiate between cataplexy brought on by narcolepsy and true sleep paralysis, because the two phenomena are physically indistinguishable. The best way to differentiate between the two is to note when the attacks occur most often. Narcolepsy attacks are more common when the individual is falling asleep; ISP and RISP attacks are more common upon awakening.[17]

Differential diagnosis [ edit ]

Similar conditions include:

Prevention [ edit ]

Several circumstances have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of sleep paralysis. These include insomnia, sleep deprivation, an erratic sleep schedule, stress, and physical fatigue. It is also believed that there may be a genetic component in the development of RISP, because there is a high concurrent incidence of sleep paralysis in monozygotic twins.[16] Sleeping in the supine position has been found an especially prominent instigator of sleep paralysis.[9][21]

Sleeping in the supine position is believed to make the sleeper more vulnerable to episodes of sleep paralysis because in this sleeping position it is possible for the soft palate to collapse and obstruct the airway.[21] This is a possibility regardless of whether the individual has been diagnosed with sleep apnea or not. There may also be a greater rate of microarousals while sleeping in the supine position because there is a greater amount of pressure being exerted on the lungs by gravity.[21]

While many factors can increase the risk for ISP or RISP, they can be avoided with minor lifestyle changes.[11]

Treatment [ edit ]

Medical treatment starts with education about sleep stages and the inability to move muscles during REM sleep. People should be evaluated for narcolepsy if symptoms persist.[22] The safest treatment for sleep paralysis is for people to adopt healthier sleeping habits. However, in more serious cases tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be used.[23] Despite the fact that these treatments are prescribed there is currently no drug that has been found to completely interrupt episodes of sleep paralysis a majority of the time.[23]

Medications [ edit ]

Though no large trials have taken place which focus on the treatment of sleep paralysis, several drugs have promise in case studies.[24] Two trials of GHB for people with narcolepsy demonstrated reductions in sleep paralysis episodes.[24]

Pimavanserin has been proposed as a possible candidate for future studies in treating sleep paralysis.[25]

Cognitive-behavior therapy [ edit ]

Some of the earliest work in treating sleep paralysis was done using a cognitive-behavior therapy called CA-CBT. The work focuses on psycho-education and modifying catastrophic cognitions about the sleep paralysis attack.[26][27] This approach has previously been used to treat sleep paralysis in Egypt, although clinical trials are lacking.[28]

The first published psychosocial treatment for recurrent isolated sleep paralysis was cognitive-behavior therapy for isolated sleep paralysis (CBT-ISP).[18] It begins with self-monitoring of symptoms, cognitive restructuring of maladaptive thoughts relevant to ISP (e.g., “the paralysis will be permanent”), and psychoeducation about the nature of sleep paralysis. Prevention techniques include ISP-specific sleep hygiene and the preparatory use of various relaxation techniques (e.g. diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation). Episode disruption techniques[29] are first practiced in session and then applied during actual attacks. No controlled trial of CBT-ISP has yet been conducted to prove its effectiveness.

Epidemiology [ edit ]

Sleep paralysis is experienced equally in males and females.[4][30] Lifetime prevalence rates derived from 35 aggregated studies indicate that approximately 8% of the general population, 28% of students, and 32% of psychiatric patients experience at least one episode of sleep paralysis at some point in their lives.[4] Rates of recurrent sleep paralysis are not as well known, but 15%-45% of those with a lifetime history of sleep paralysis may meet diagnostic criteria for Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis.[17][10] In surveys from Canada, China, England, Japan and Nigeria, 20% to 60% of individuals reported having experienced sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime.[7] In general, non-whites appear to experience sleep paralysis at higher rates than whites, but the magnitude of the difference is rather small.[4] Approximately 36% of the general population that experiences isolated sleep paralysis is likely to develop it between 25 and 44 years of age.[31]

Isolated sleep paralysis is commonly seen in patients that have been diagnosed with narcolepsy. Approximately 30–50% of people that have been diagnosed with narcolepsy have experienced sleep paralysis as an auxiliary symptom.[31] A majority of the individuals who have experienced sleep paralysis have sporadic episodes that occur once a month to once a year. Only 3% of individuals experiencing sleep paralysis that is not associated with a neuromuscular disorder have nightly episodes.[31]

Society and culture [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

Füssli’s The Nightmare (1781) A 19th century version of(1781)

The original definition of sleep paralysis was codified by Samuel Johnson in his A Dictionary of the English Language as nightmare, a term that evolved into our modern definition. The term was first used and dubbed by British neurologist, S.A.K. Wilson in his 1928 dissertation, The Narcolepsies.[32] Such sleep paralysis was widely considered the work of demons, and more specifically incubi, which were thought to sit on the chests of sleepers. In Old English the name for these beings was mare or mære (from a proto-Germanic *marōn, cf. Old Norse mara), hence comes the mare in the word nightmare. The word might be cognate to Greek Marōn (in the Odyssey) and Sanskrit Māra.

Cultural significance and priming [ edit ]

Le Cauchemar (The Nightmare), by Eugène Thivier (1894) ), by Eugène Thivier (1894)

Although the core features of sleep paralysis (e.g., atonia, a clear sensorium, and frequent hallucinations) appear to be universal, the ways in which they are experienced vary according to time, place, and culture.[9][33] Over 100 terms have been identified for these experiences.[18] Some scientists have proposed sleep paralysis as an explanation for reports of paranormal and spiritual phenomena such as ghosts,[34][35] alien visits,[36] demons or demonic possession,[9][37] alien abduction experiences,[38][39] the night hag and shadow people haunting.[10][13]

According to some scientists, culture may be a major factor in shaping sleep paralysis.[37] When sleep paralysis is interpreted through a particular cultural filter, it may take on greater salience. For example, if sleep paralysis is feared in a certain culture, this fear could lead to conditioned fear, and thus worsen the experience, in turn leading to higher rates.[9][37] Consistent with this idea, high rates and long durations of immobility during sleep paralysis have been found in Egypt, where there are elaborate beliefs about sleep paralysis, involving malevolent spirit-like creatures, the jinn.[37]

Research has found that sleep paralysis is associated with great fear and fear of impending death in 50% of sufferers in Egypt.[37] A study comparing rates and characteristics of sleep paralysis in Egypt and Denmark found that the phenomenon is three times more common in Egypt versus Denmark.[37] In Denmark, unlike Egypt, there are no elaborate supernatural beliefs about sleep paralysis, and the experience is often interpreted as an odd physiological event, with overall shorter sleep paralysis episodes and fewer people (17%) fearing that they could die from it.[33]

Folklore [ edit ]

The night hag is a generic name for a folkloric creature found in cultures around the world, and which is used to explain the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. A common description is that a person feels a presence of a supernatural malevolent being which immobilizes the person as if standing on the chest.[40] This phenomenon goes by many names.

Cambodia [ edit ]

Sleep paralysis among Cambodians is known as “the ghost pushes you down,”[35] and entails the belief in dangerous visitations from deceased relatives.[35]

Egypt [ edit ]

In Egypt, sleep paralysis is conceptualized as a terrifying jinn attack. The jinn may even kill its victims.[33]

Italy [ edit ]

In the different regions of Italy there are many examples of supernatural beings associated with sleep paralysis. In the regions of Marche and Abruzzo, it is referred to as a Pandafeche attack;[9] the Pandafeche usually refers to an evil witch, sometimes a ghostlike spirit or a terrifying catlike creature, that mounts on the chest of the victim and tries to harm him. The only way to avoid her is to keep a bag of sand or beans close to the bed, so that the witch will stop to count how many beans or sand-grains are inside it. A similar tradition is present in the Sardinian folklore, where the Ammuntadore is known as a creature that mounts on the people’s chest during their sleep to give them nightmares, and that can change its shape according to the person’s fears. In Northern Italy, specifically in the Tyrol area, the Trud is a witch that sits on the people’s chest at night, making them unable to breathe; to chase her away, people should make the sign of the Cross, something that would need a great struggle in a situation of paralysis.[41] A similar folklore is present in the Sannio area, around the city of Benevento, where the witch is called Janara.[42] In Southern Italy, sleep paralysis is usually explained with the presence of a sprite standing on the people’s chest: if the person manages to catch the sprite (or steal his hat), in exchange for his freedom (or to have his hat back) he can reveal the hiding place of a rich treasure; this sprite has different names in different regions of Italy: Monaciello in Campania, Monachicchio in Basilicata, Laurieddhu or Scazzamurill in Apulia, Mazzmuredd in Molise.[42]

Newfoundland [ edit ]

In Newfoundland, sleep paralysis is referred to as the Old Hag,[34][43] and victims of a hagging are said to be hag-ridden upon awakening.[44] Victims report being completely conscious, but unable to speak or move, and report a person or an animal which sits upon their chest.[45] Despite the name, the attacker can be either male or female.[46] Some suggested cures or preventions for the Old Hag include sleeping with a Bible under the pillow,[45] calling the sleeper’s name backwards[47] or in an extreme example, sleeping with a shingle or board embedded with nails strapped to the chest.[48] This object was called a Hag Board.[49] The Old Hag is well-enough known in the province to be a pop culture figure, appearing in films and plays[50] as well as in crafted objects.[51]

Nigeria [ edit ]

Nigeria[52] has a myriad interpretation of the cause of SP. This is due to the very diversified culture and belief system that exists there.

United States [ edit ]

Sleep paralysis is sometimes interpreted as space alien abduction in the United States.[53]

Literature [ edit ]

Various forms of magic and spiritual possession were also advanced as causes in literature. In nineteenth century Europe, the vagaries of diet were thought to be responsible. For example, in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge attributes the ghost he sees to “… an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato…” In a similar vein, the Household Cyclopedia (1881) offers the following advice about nightmares:

“Great attention is to be paid to regularity and choice of diet. Intemperance of every kind is hurtful, but nothing is more productive of this disease than drinking bad wine. Of eatables those which are most prejudicial are all fat and greasy meats and pastry… Moderate exercise contributes in a superior degree to promote the digestion of food and prevent flatulence; those, however, who are necessarily confined to a sedentary occupation, should particularly avoid applying themselves to study or bodily labor immediately after eating… Going to bed before the usual hour is a frequent cause of night-mare, as it either occasions the patient to sleep too long or to lie long awake in the night. Passing a whole night or part of a night without rest likewise gives birth to the disease, as it occasions the patient, on the succeeding night, to sleep too soundly. Indulging in sleep too late in the morning, is an almost certain method to bring on the paroxysm, and the more frequently it returns, the greater strength it acquires; the propensity to sleep at this time is almost irresistible.”[54]

J. M. Barrie, the author of the Peter Pan stories, may have had sleep paralysis. He said of himself ‘In my early boyhood it was a sheet that tried to choke me in the night.’[55] He also described several incidents in the Peter Pan stories that indicate that he was familiar with an awareness of a loss of muscle tone whilst in a dream-like state. For example, Maimie is asleep but calls out ‘What was that….It is coming nearer! It is feeling your bed with its horns-it is boring for [into] you’.[56] and when the Darling children were dreaming of flying, Barrie says ‘Nothing horrid was visible in the air, yet their progress had become slow and laboured, exactly as if they were pushing their way through hostile forces. Sometimes they hung in the air until Peter had beaten on it with his fists.’[57] Barrie describes many parasomnias and neurological symptoms in his books and uses them to explore the nature of consciousness from an experiential point of view.[58]

Documentary films [ edit ]

The Nightmare is a 2015 documentary that discusses the causes of sleep paralysis as seen through extensive interviews with participants, and the experiences are re-enacted by professional actors. In synopsis, it proposes that such cultural phenomena as alien abduction, the near death experience and shadow people can, in many cases, be attributed to sleep paralysis. The “real-life” horror film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2015 and premiered in theatres on June 5, 2015.[59]

See also [ edit ]

Catatonia – Psychiatric behavioral syndrome

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