Imagine being stuck in a dark, confined space, where you can’t move or speak. It sounds pretty hellish, and yet it has happened to me countless times. Sleep paralysis is estimated to affect around 8% ...

Jalal is a neuroscientist at Harvard University, Department of Psychology. He was previously a Visiting Researcher at Cambridge University, where he completed his Ph.D. with the School of Clinical ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Have you ever woken up after sleeping, unable to move? Maybe you can see ...

Many people who experience sleep paralysis see frightening hallucinations some call "sleep paralysis demons." - Illustration by Leah Abucayan/Alberto Mier/CNN Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified, ...

I can't breathe. There's a tremendous pressure in my chest. I'm panicking, and then I realize I can't move. I try to scream. Suddenly, violently, I'm startled awake, sweaty, shaking, and disoriented.

Sarah Bradley is a writer with six years of experience creating personal essays, reported features, and content related to health and parenting topics. Sleep paralysis involves being awake but unable ...

Sleep paralysis can be scary and overwhelming. But you can help wake yourself up from an episode by moving your fingers and toes or forcing a sudden and intense movement. Sleep paralysis is a ...

The moment I saw Emily* in a Midtown hotel lobby, I tried to leave it. But it was too late—she said my name so loudly and cheerfully that there was no way I could pretend not to hear. I must have ...

Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified ...

(CNN) — Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified, experiencing his own real-life horror film. Newly awake, the 19-year-old could see his surroundings but couldn’t move or speak, and he didn’t know why. He ...