6 replies to this topic

[Penelopi]

I used to have nightmares more often than good dreams, and I was so terrified of them that around 6 or 7 years old I learned to wake myself up by forcing my eyes open. It was really hard at first. I would manage to just barely get myself out of the nightmare, but then I'd be stuck in a black void where I couldn't move. I couldn't see or hear anything. The only sense I was aware of was touch. I could feel the mattress underneath me and my sheets and blanket on top of me (or twisted around me, whichever). But my entire body felt like a lead weight. I was afraid to stay in that place because I thought I'd fall back into a nightmare or get stuck there forever. Somehow I knew, even the first time, that I would wake up if I could only move something, anything. I tried my eyelids, fingers, and toes until something twitched and I was jolted awake.

Once I let myself stay in there too long and started seeing a ring of leaves swirling around some wobbling invisible axis, like a top loosing its spin. I think I heard a whooshy wind sound, too. That was the only time a vision came to me while stuck there.

After a while, I was able to wake myself up without going through that state, but I've always wondered: What was that? Does anyone know?

[animejosse]

Sleep paralysis. No one's 100% sure why it happens, but it's most likely to stop our bodies from moving while we dream.

[Penelopi]

I was wondering if that's what it was, but I thought you weren't supposed to be able to get out of sleep paralysis until you naturally wake up.

[NNR07]

Sleep paralysis. No one's 100% sure why it happens, but it's most likely to stop our bodies from moving while we dream.

I think the most common theory is that it's because your nerves have relaxed themselves for Sleepy-Time.

So basically what you said.

[Penelopi]

Oh. Wiki says it happens when waking up, too. I guess that really was it, then. From people's descriptions of paralysis I had a different picture in mind, not even thinking that that might've been it. I've been wanting to try a WILD recently but it turns out I was closer to one 6 years ago. lol. Thanks, guys.

[Kitty]

I have that same problem when im sick, its suppose to be like something when you dream. I remember the last time I had it, i thought i was losing it. I was awake, but couldnt move my body, couldnt even wiggly my toes, i was stiff as a bored for a good 20 mins, all i was able to do was cry because i was so scarred, and i must of been half asleep because i was seeing images on the ceiling, and this made me feel dizzy. It's something that happens randomly, (usually when im very sick)
Fasinating how our bodies work,eh? :3

[Penelopi]

20 minutes?! Wow, I was only ever stuck for what felt like 5 minutes at the most. I'm sorry you were so scared. But you were able to open your eyes during paralysis. I could never do that back then.