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September 14, 2011
Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome
People who have an experience of sleep paralysis tend to feel some horrible, evil being is near them. "I just knew this presence was there. An ominous presence ... not only could I not see it, but I couldn't defend myself, I couldn't do anything," one victim told Adler. This feeling is consistent across cultures, even if it goes by different names and presents through the culture one knows. -- The Dark Side of the Placebo Effect: When Intense Belief Kills - Alexis Madrigal - Life - The Atlantic
Posted by Vanderleun at September 14, 2011 12:05 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
Oh, it's real. The feeling, that is. It happened to my wife not long ago. When the paralysis broke and she could speak again, she told me she had seen a dark figure at the foot of the bed, and that the figure had started a fire in the living room. I recognized the symptoms and told her what had happened, but she insisted that I check to be sure there was no fire. I had been awake the whole time, and of course had seen nothing. But it was very real to her.
Posted by: Gordon at September 14, 2011 9:15 PM
I have experienced this several times in the last 18 years. Those have coincided with my retirement years so I have attributed them to a possible feeling of no longer being needed in the world of work. It's interesting to learn that it is common. It does seem that there is an oppressive force that is holding you down. It creates fear, but not so bad that I dread having another incident. Maybe it's a reminder that evil exists or is the dark side of our own personality trying to exert itself.
Posted by: Jimmy J. at September 14, 2011 9:25 PM
The body 'paralyses' the muscles when sleeping to stop itself thrashing about during dreams. If you become concious prematurely, before it has fully worn off, then you actually experience the paralysis, although only fleetingly. But it's there every night - just that we normally don't wake until it has gone.
There is also a specific part of the brain which when stimulated gives one the sense of a malign presence. Weird, huh?
Posted by: Brett_McS at September 15, 2011 3:22 AM
And then, perhaps, via Occam's Razor, maybe there IS an evil presence that tries to to claim your soul when paralysis holds you in place. No actual exclusory evidence on that.
Boo!
Posted by: ed in texas at September 15, 2011 4:36 AM
"...no longer being needed in the world of work."
This is known at the 'Fallacy of the Politician' where one actually believes there is some reason for getting up and making speeches.
Extend that to growing vast acres of hops.
Really, how much beer can you drink?
Relax, brew your own and don't pester others; the Soulsnatcher will not come before your time.
Posted by: Peccable at September 15, 2011 11:48 AM
It's happened to me twice. Once, I was actually waking up from anesthesia, and I had a lot of icepacks around my head and an automatic blood pressure cuff on my arm. (You know, they really should have warned me that I'd wake up with an automatic blood pressure cuff putting me into excruciating pain.)
The other time, it turned out that the guest bedroom was normally the cat bedroom, and the cats had all decided to sit on my chest and look into my mouth. Except that the kittens weren't real clear on the idea, and so one of them actually had his head _inside_ my mouth. (Not the best way to wake up.)
Yes, these don't really count, but just to say it's not always sleep paralysis responsible for that feeling!
Posted by: Maureen at September 15, 2011 3:47 PM
the demonic presence is very real. anyone who has experienced it has no doubt.
Posted by: lee at October 30, 2011 7:32 PM