"Sleep Paralysis and the Business of Fear: A Scientific Study on Awareness, Experience, and Misconceptions in Society"
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) April 12, 2026 Achyuta Nand Tiwari
Sleep paralysis, a temporary inability to move or speak while waking or falling asleep, has a clear scientific basis in REM sleep and brain-body coordination, yet many people associate it with supernatural beliefs. A survey of two age groups found that fear, lack of awareness, and societal beliefs contribute to these misconceptions, with some individuals (e.g., tantriks or ojha babas) exploiting the phenomenon. The findings suggest that education and awareness can significantly reduce fear and superstition.