Relationship between isolated sleep paralysis and geomagnetic influences: a case study.

Over 23.5 months, a single subject who has experienced isolated sleep paralysis for 24 years recorded dream recall in a diary. Geomagnetic activity data from two observatories were correlated with the diary entries. Periods of relatively quiet geomagnetic activity were significantly associated with a higher incidence of sleep paralysis episodes. The report also examined lucid dreaming, vivid dreams, and total dream frequency in relation to geomagnetic activity, but the main finding links quiet geomagnetic conditions to increased sleep paralysis.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This preliminary report, of a longitudinal study, looks at the relationship between geomagnetic activity and the incidence of isolated sleep paralysis over a 23.5-mo. period. The author, who has frequently and for the last 24 years experienced isolated sleep paralysis was the subject. In addition, incidence of lucid dreaming, vivid dreams, and total dream frequency were looked at with respect to geomagnetic activity. The data were in the form of dream-recall frequency recorded in a diary. These frequency data were correlated with geomagnetic activity k-index values obtained from two observatories. A significant correlation was obtained between periods of local geomagnetic activity and the incidence of isolated sleep paralysis. Specifically, periods of relatively quiet geomagnetic activity were significantly associated with an increased incidence of episodes.