Sleep Medicine Reviews
June 8, 2017
Dan Denis, Christopher C. French, Alice M. Gregory
129 citations
Sleep paralysis is a common but poorly understood phenomenon. A systematic review of 42 studies identified multiple variables associated with its frequency and intensity, including substance use, stress and trauma, genetic influences, physical illness, personality, intelligence, anomalous beliefs, sleep problems and disorders, and psychiatric symptoms. Sleep paralysis is especially prevalent in post-traumatic stress disorder and, to a lesser degree, panic disorder. The review notes limitations in the current literature and suggests directions for future research and clinical practice.
Progress in Brain Research
January 1, 2005
Christopher C. French
70 citations
Near-death experiences (NDEs) occur when individuals are objectively near death or believe themselves to be. They typically include feelings of peace, out-of-body experiences, seeing a brilliant light, and entering another realm, and have lasting transformational effects. Spiritual theories propose consciousness can detach from the brain, offering a glimpse of an afterlife. Psychological theories suggest NDEs are dissociative defense mechanisms or, less plausibly, birth memories. Organic theories involve cerebral hypoxia, anoxia, hypercarbia, endorphins, and temporal lobe activity. Studies of cardiac arrest survivors are reviewed for implications on mind-brain relationships.
Journal of Sleep Research
August 1, 2023
Betul Rauf, Rotem Perach, Juan J Madrid-Valero et al.
8 citations
Poor sleep quality significantly correlates with stronger beliefs in paranormal phenomena. In a survey of 8,853 participants, those experiencing insomnia, longer sleep latency, and shorter sleep duration were more likely to believe in concepts like ghosts (62%), the soul living on after death (58%), and alien encounters (45%). Additionally, episodes of exploding head syndrome and isolated sleep paralysis were linked to beliefs in aliens visiting Earth. These findings highlight the complex relationship between sleep disturbances and anomalistic experiences, suggesting avenues for enhanced psychoeducation on sleep health.
British journal of psychology (London, England : 1953)
November 1, 2023
Betul Rauf, Rotem Perach, Juan J Madrid-Valero et al.
5 citations
Sleep disturbances such as sleep paralysis, lucid dreams, nightmares, and hypnagogic hallucinations are positively associated with reports of paranormal experiences and beliefs, including those involving ghosts, spirits, and near-death experiences. A scoping review of 44 cross-sectional studies found consistent links between these sleep variables and ostensibly paranormal phenomena. The findings suggest that nighttime experiences many people interpret as supernatural may stem from common sleep disruptions. This has clinical implications, such as reducing misdiagnosis and guiding treatment for sleep-related experiences.
Sleep Medicine
April 1, 2023
Betul Rauf, Brian A Sharpless, Dan Denis et al.
Isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) is a benign but frightening condition involving temporary inability to move at sleep onset or upon awakening. In an online survey of 6,811 participants (mean age 46.9, 66.1% female), those who had experienced at least one lifetime ISP episode reported longer sleep onset latencies, shorter sleep duration, and greater insomnia symptoms than those without ISP. Females and younger participants were more likely to experience ISP. Significant fear during episodes was reported by 76.0% of participants. Most (63.3%) attributed ISP to 'something in the brain,' while 7.1% endorsed supernatural causes. Five prevention strategies (e.g., changing sleep position, adjusting sleep patterns) showed at least 60.0% effectiveness, and five disruption strategies (e.g., physical/bodily action, making noise) ranged from 29.5% to 61.8% effectiveness.
Journal of Sleep Research
October 1, 2018
Dan Denis, Christopher C. French, Melanie N. Schneider et al.
Poor sleep quality is linked to sleep paralysis, but the precise nature of the relationship is unclear. This study analyzed data from 860 individuals aged 22–32 years (66% female) from the G1219 twin/sibling study. Two components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index—sleep latency and daytime dysfunction—predicted sleep paralysis. Additional factors associated with sleep paralysis included insomnia symptoms, sleep problems related to traumatic experiences, presleep arousal, unhelpful thoughts about sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. No relationship was found with sleep-disordered breathing, diurnal preference, or sleeping arrangements. The results suggest that improving specific aspects of sleep quality might help reduce sleep paralysis episodes.