
Understanding Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
Sleep paralysis is when you’re awake but can’t move or speak, typically as you’re falling asleep or waking up. It happens when your brain and body are out of sync during the transition between sleep and wakefulness, often linked to REM sleep, where your muscles are naturally paralyzed to prevent acting out dreams. Episodes are brief, lasting from seconds to a few minutes, and while scary, they’re not physically harmful.