Sleep paralysis affects 33.14% of Polish students, highlighting its significant prevalence in this population. Among the 2,553 analyzed participants, factors like having three or more health issues (odds ratio of 2.3) and any mental disorder (1.77) increased the likelihood of experiencing sleep paralysis. High anxiety levels (1.20), smoking (1.48), and alcohol consumption (1.52) also contributed to this risk. These findings suggest that mental health status, lifestyle choices, and physical health are critical in understanding sleep disorders like sleep paralysis among students.
In a small long-term follow-up of twelve people with major depressive disorder, MDMA-assisted therapy—two MDMA dosing sessions combined with nine psychotherapy sessions—led to sustained reductions in depression severity and disability seven months after baseline. Depression scores on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and disability scores on the Sheehan Disability Scale remained significantly lower than before treatment, with no significant changes from the immediate post-treatment visit. Suicidal ideation did not exceed pre-study levels. The results suggest lasting treatment effects and safety, though the authors call for larger controlled trials to confirm these preliminary findings.
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a temporary inability to move while conscious, occurring when falling asleep or waking up. Among 844 professionals at high risk—nurses and midwives, police officers, teachers, and a mixed group—prevalence ranged from 15.5% in police officers to 39.4% in the mixed group. Symptoms of PTSD and anxiety were linked to SP in nurses and the mixed group. Other factors associated with SP frequency and severity included age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, sleep duration, and perceived stress. The findings indicate that psychological and lifestyle factors together contribute to SP, suggesting a complex cause and the need for targeted prevention and treatment.
Sleep paralysis affects about 7.6% of the general population, but among Polish university students in Lublin the rate is 32%, higher than the 28.3% average for other student populations. Somatic symptoms dominate: 94% of those reporting sleep paralysis experienced physical sensations, most commonly rapid heartbeat (76%); 93% reported fear, especially fear of death (46%); and 66% had hallucinations, mostly visual (37%). More frequent episodes were linked to shorter sleep and sleeping on the back. Severity of physical symptoms correlated with lifestyle factors and anxiety. A substantial number of students experience recurrent sleep paralysis accompanied by fear and physical distress.