Recent Insights Into Sleep Paralysis: Mechanisms and Management.
Cureus July 1, 2024 Vijay Bhalerao, Shashank Gotarkar, Deepak Vishwakarma et al.
Sleep paralysis is a condition where people wake from deep sleep unable to move or speak, often with vivid hallucinations, caused by the persistence of REM sleep muscle atonia into wakefulness. Risk factors include sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns. Isolated episodes are generally benign, but recurrent episodes may need clinical attention, especially with distressing symptoms. The condition is prevalent across cultures and linked to various medical conditions but remains poorly understood. This review describes clinical characteristics, epidemiology, and risk factors, and discusses potential treatments including pharmacological interventions and cognitive-behavioral therapy, emphasizing the need for more research.