Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sleep Paralysis


Sleep paralysis is the normal paralysis of the body that occurs during REM sleep (dreaming phase of sleeping). It happens either when falling sleep or awakening from sleep. During REM sleep, eyes scan left and right, heart beat and breathing becomes irregular, blood flow to the genital area creates a state of sexual arousal. At this time a chemical called Acetylcholine released from the brain stem to immobilize the body's movements. It is then that the body becomes paralyzed. It is the body's mechanism to immobilize the body so that the person does not act according to his/her brain. Some of the causes of sleep paralysis could be alcohol consumption, environmental changes and stress. In the end, sleep paralysis is a normal function of human body and anyone with this condition can learn and recognize this phase of sleeping by letting the paralysis to finish without reacting with fear or panic to avoid any stress or emotional problems.

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