Sleep paralysis: Causes, symptoms, and treatments
Diseases & Conditions October 20, 2023 By Jenette Restivo , Health Writer; Assistant Director for Digital Content Creation and Engagement, Harvard Health Publishing Reviewed by Sogol Javaheri, MD, MPH , Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Share Share this page to Facebook Share this page to X Share this page via Email Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print For many people, sleep paralysis is a distressing condition affecting their sleep and emotional health. While there is still much to learn about sleep paralysis, understanding the source of sleep paralysis symptoms can help with treatment and prevention. What is sleep paralysis? Sleep paralysis is a temporary sense of paralysis that occurs between stages of wakefulness and sleep . During an episode of sleep paralysis, you are conscious but unable to move or speak. One of the primary differences between sleep paralysis and other sleep states such as dreaming and ni...