How does sleep paralysis happen?

I totally get it, the first time it happens you feel like you are dying or something is in the room. It usually happens when you are extremely exhausted or sleeping on your back. Please don't worry, your brain is just transitioning between sleep stages a bit awkwardly.

Do not listen to people online blaming ghosts or negative energy for sleep paralysis. It is a well-documented neurological event where REM sleep atonia overlaps with waking consciousness. If it happens frequently, consult a sleep specialist to check for conditions like narcolepsy.

For me, my sleep paralysis episodes were linked to very erratic sleeping hours and late-night heavy meals. Since I have to manage my blood sugar, keeping a disciplined dinner and sleep routine helped enormously. A stable lifestyle keeps both sugar and sleep glitches in check.

I used to get this twice a week recently due to heavy work stress and late night coffees. I fixed it by strictly sleeping on my side and stopping caffeine after 4 PM. I haven't had a single episode in the last month, so lifestyle changes really do work.