Doctors warning over 4 things you should never do during sleep paralysis.
Sleep paralysis can be a scary phenomenon which occurs when you are somewhere between wakefulness and sleep – but doctor Joe MD warned fans there are four things they should never do when it happens
Imagine the horror of waking up from a deep sleep, only to find yourself unable to move or speak, leaving you trapped in your own bed.
Some individuals may even perceive and hear things that aren’t actually present due to sleep paralysis. The strange phenomenon occurs when you are somewhere between wakefulness and sleep.
It can be very alarming for those who experience it and is believed to be associated with stress and anxiety. Although it’s not harmful and usually passes quickly, a doctor issued a warning about certain actions you should avoid during such episodes.
Dr Joe MD has issued a warning to anyone who gets sleep paralysis to avoid these four things (stock image)
Doctor Joe MD also suffers from sleep paralysis and shares his medical advice online. In his most recent video, which received over 32,000 likes, he discusses his experience and outlines four things you should never do during an episode.
He elaborated: “I had the most terrifying sleep paralysis this morning, so I wanted to tell you the four things you should never do if you’re having sleep paralysis. Typically, during the REM phase of sleep, your brain is highly active. This is when you dream.
“To stop you from acting out these dreams, your brain sends signals to inhibitory neurons to deactivate your skeletal muscles, essentially causing paralysis. When there’s a disruption or an overlap between the rim and wakefulness cycle.
“This is when sleep paralysis occurs. Things you should never do. Number one: Do not believe everything you experience during sleep paralysis. You can have very vivid hallucinations, and they’re often unpleasant. We’re talking demons.
“Number two: Don’t focus on the visions. Be aware that they’re not real. And this will allow you to shift your focus elsewhere. Number three don’t let your eyes wander. You may see things you’re not ready to see. Instead, close your eyes, which will shut out any bad visions and allow you to have a calm space to talk yourself down.
“And four, don’t struggle to get out of the sleep paralysis. This will cause panic, which is never good unless you’re at the disco.
TikTok users confessed that sleep paralysis has left them terrified before (stock image)
“Instead, focus on little movements like wiggling your pinky or your little toe. This may wake up your nervous system and help you come out of it.”
TikTok users were left gobsmacked by the warning with many expressing their gratitude in the comments for his advice. One user said: “I used to be scared but now I just get mad every time.”
Another added: “This just happened to me, I don’t wanna sleep again,” while a third remarked: “My sleep paralysis is never scary visions but I am awake and can’t move and it’s hard to breath and I’m trying so hard to get my husband to help me and right when I think I’m going to die, it stops.”
