"Sleep Paralysis and the Business of Fear: A Scientific Study on Awareness, Experience, and Misconceptions in Society"

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Sleep paralysis is a temporary condition in which a person is unable to move or speak while waking up or falling asleep. Although it has a clear scientific explanation related to REM sleep and brain-body coordination, many people still associate it with supernatural beliefs.This study aims to analyze the experiences of individuals and understand how fear, lack ofawareness, and societal beliefs contribute to misconceptions. The research also highlightsthe existence of a “fear-based belief system” in society, where individuals such as tantriks orojha babas take advantage of such phenomena. A primary survey was conducted amongtwo age groups to study awareness and experiences. The findings suggest that educationand awareness can significantly reduce fear and superstition