AboutRussell Expertise I am not a dream Interpreter, I specialize in lucid dreams. With this being said please don't ask me any questions about what your dreams mean. All dream interpretation questions will be rejected. Lucid dreams are when you realize that you are in a dream. Once you realize that you are dreaming, you can control and manipulate your dreams. I can answer questions regarding lucid dreaming, false awakening, paralysis sleep, and reality testing. I cannot answer questions regarding out of body experience.
Experience When I was a little kid I would have 1-2 lucid dreams a year that I could control. As I got older I would have about 3-5 lucid dreams every year, but now I am averaging about 4-5 lucid dreams every month.
Education/Credentials High School Graduate
Harper College (ongoing)
Question i always wanted to know what this was. i was taking a nap in my bed in college a few years ago during the day. and i woke up and noticed the light coming through my window was growing brighter and brighter. i also couldn't move my body and it was if this light was keeping my body from moving. now to clarify i wasn't dreaming at the time, i was fully awake, and i am a very healthy, athletic person. and i also dont take drugs or any medication so there was no good reason for me not being able to move or to have a hullicination. well, the light kept getting brighter and my body was still like stone. i tried so hard to move but couldn't even move a finger. after a couple minutes i became very frightened. the light got brighter and was almost pulling my body towards it as if to come with it. i didn't know what to think of it, but i was scared out of my mind. my first thoughts were that it was a good or evil spirit or that my subconcious was completely messing with me. it took everything in me to keep my body from being taken towards this light, at least thats what it felt like was going to happen though i couldnt believe that actually happening. i tried to scream for my roommates but i couldn't yell, all that came out of my mouth was a small whisper. still stuck and unable to make a sound i probably layed there in bed for a total of 5 minutes overall, deathly afraid, and exhausted from trying so hard to budge. finally, for no appatent reason at all, i was able to move, and the light dimmed down. i let out a huge gasp of air, and never really told anyone about it. i was actually looking to ask about a dream i had last night, but when i saw your expertise i remembered to ask about it. is this anything you deal with, since i wasn't sleeping and was actually awake? also, i am not making any of this up either, i really wouldnt waste my time to do so. i appreciate your answer, thank you.
Answer I would first like to apologize for answering your question so late. I thought I already answered it, but forgot to submit after I typed your answer. You experienced a state called sleep paralysis. When you go to sleep your brain releases a chemical that paralyzes your entire body. This prevents you from acting out your dreams, sleep walking, and hurting yourself while you are dreaming. Sleep paralysis occurs when you wake up prematurely and you are still in the paralyzed state. Sleep paralysis may also be accompanied by vivid terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic) and an acute sense of danger. It doesn't matter if you are taking drugs or not, if you are in a sleep paralysis state, then you may have hallucinations, which makes the experience more terrifying. While you are in a sleep paralysis state, you are unable to yell, scream for help, and move any part of your body. I often deal with sleep paralysis like you just mentioned and when it happens to me, I don't bother to fight it, I just tell myself that it will be over soon. I often try to turn my sleep paralysis into a lucid dream. Since I am aware of what is happening, I know that if I do fall into a dream, I will be well aware that I am dreaming and can control it. Sleep paralysis can last a few seconds and go on for several minutes. Here are the possible causes of sleep paralysis. I hope this answers your question, and once again, sorry for answering your question late.
* Sleeping in a face upwards or supine position (Most common cause)
* Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation
* Increased stress
* Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes
* A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode.
