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The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.
Demonic Vibrations Pulling Me Down
by Jank
(South Dakota)
When I have an episode of sleep paralysis it feels like my head is SLOWLY sinking or being pulled by some "force" into my pillow. I feel (or kind of hear) vibrations around my head. I first noticed this as a teenager. I would lay down to fall asleep. Right before I actually fell asleep I would feel this sensation (the one I just described) but I would always snap out of it in a fright the instant it would happen.
One night, I didn't snap out of it. I felt the weird sensation but I was really tired and decided to just stay in the feeling. After what seemed a few seconds, I felt an evil presence in the vibrations. It seemed like demons, or spirits or something was in my room trying to keep me in this strange "place". I suddenly realized I couldn't move. I wanted to shake myself out of it but I couldn't. It seemed like the "presence" was trying to accomplish something by keeping me in this state of mind. I felt impending doom growing with every second.
"Open your eyes!" I kept thinking. I just knew if I stayed in this place "they" were going to kill me. I felt trapped; like I had finally been lured into this place. They were finally going to succeed. And then, I opened my eyes and jerked my head forward. It was over.
I didn't want to sleep but I was tired. Eventually, I closed my eyes. The force was back. I'd snap out of it before it became to powerful. This continued until I eventually fell asleep.
I thought I was going crazy. I didn't tell anyone and this was before Google existed (LOL) so I was basically stuck with my secret.
Years later I realized I was normal. I learned about sleep paralysis and understood what was actually happening. I've experimented with it from time to time. I would try to stay in "the place" and see what would happen. However, I always become too afraid and would eventually wakeup.
I'm 41 now. My wife can tell when this is happening sometimes. I guess I can grunt or sometimes flinch to alert her. if she touches me, I usually snap right out of it.
That's story for now. I'll be sure to let you know if I get abducted, astral project or visually hallucinate anything. ;)
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Interviews With Sleep Specialists: Insights Into the Worlds of Sleep Medicine & Sleep Business
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Sleep Debt: How Much More Will You Achieve When You Reduce Yours?
The Stages Of Sleep: The Journey Through The Night
Delayed Sleep Phase: You Want To Sleep But You're Not Tired Yet
Paralyzed at Night: Is Sleep Paralysis Normal?
Sleep In Words: Smart, Strange, and Funny Quotes About Sleep
Sleep Disorders In Children: What's Keeping Your Child From A Full Night's Rest?
Attacks of Pavor Nocturnus (a.k.a. Sleep Terrors, Night Terrors, or Incubus Attacks)
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The Zeo
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Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide
Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.
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