Ever Wake Up But Can’t Move

Why Does It Happen?

The explanation is actually pretty straightforward: during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep — the stage where most dreaming happens — your brain signals your body to enter a state of temporary paralysis. This is totally normal and helps keep you from physically acting out your dreams.

Sleep paralysis occurs when your brain wakes up before your body does. You’re conscious, but your muscles are still under the influence of REM paralysis. The result? A few seconds (or minutes) where you feel completely stuck.

What Triggers It?

Sleep paralysis is more common than you might think, and it’s often linked to:

• Lack of sleep or irregular sleep schedules
• High stress or anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep disorders like insomnia or narcolepsy

Even one rough night can throw off your sleep cycle enough to increase the chances of an episode.

Is It Dangerous?

Here’s the good news: sleep paralysis isn’t harmful, even if it feels terrifying in the moment. It doesn’t mean something’s wrong with your body or brain, and for most people, it’s a rare and isolated event.

However, if it starts happening frequently or begins to affect your sleep quality, it’s worth discussing with a medical professional — especially if it’s tied to chronic stress, insomnia, or anxiety.

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