Paralysis In Rem Sleep: What, Why, And How?

Sleep paralysis is a condition where a person is conscious but unable to move or speak. It occurs when the body is in between stages of sleep and wakefulness, usually when falling into or coming out of REM sleep. During REM sleep, the body's muscles are typically relaxed and inactive to prevent injury from acting out dreams. However, during sleep paralysis, the mind is awake or half-awake, resulting in the awareness of being unable to move. This condition can be frightening but is generally not dangerous and usually lasts only a few seconds to a few minutes. Sleep paralysis is associated with hallucinations, a feeling of suffocation, and other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.

Sleep paralysis occurs when we are between sleep phases

Sleep paralysis is often associated with the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of the sleep cycle, which is characterised by vivid dreaming and muscle relaxation. During REM sleep, the body's muscles are inactive, possibly to prevent injury from acting out dreams. Sleep paralysis occurs when the sleep cycle is shifting between stages, and a person wakes up suddenly from REM sleep. In this case, the brain is awake, but the body remains in REM mode and cannot move, resulting in a feeling of paralysis.

Research has identified two powerful brain chemical systems, involving the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, that work together to paralyse skeletal muscles during REM sleep. By blocking specific receptors for these neurotransmitters in rats, scientists found that both types of receptors needed to be shut off simultaneously to prevent sleep paralysis during REM sleep. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the role of these neurotransmitters in sleep-related paralysis and developing treatments for sleep disorders.

Sleep paralysis can be a frightening experience, and while it is not typically dangerous, it can cause emotional distress. It is linked to various sleep disorders and mental health conditions, including narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and anxiety disorders. Improving sleep habits and addressing underlying issues can help reduce the frequency of sleep paralysis episodes.

Brain chemicals GABA and glycine cause REM sleep paralysis

During REM sleep, the brain is very active and dreams are at their most intense. However, the body's voluntary muscles are paralysed, including the arms, legs, fingers, and other parts that are under conscious control. This paralysis is thought to prevent people from acting out their dreams and causing potential injury to themselves or others.

The cause of this paralysis has long been a mystery, with early studies suggesting that a neurotransmitter called glycine was responsible. However, this theory was disproven when paralysis still occurred even when the receptors for glycine were blocked.

New research from the University of Toronto has identified two powerful brain chemical systems that work together to paralyse skeletal muscles during REM sleep. These are the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine. The researchers, Patricia Brooks and John Peever, found that these neurotransmitters cause REM sleep paralysis in rats by "switching off" the specialised cells in the brain that allow muscles to be active.

To test their theory, Brooks and Peever conducted a series of experiments that measured the electrical activity in the facial muscles responsible for chewing in sleeping rats. They discovered that blocking the receptors for glycine alone was not enough to prevent REM sleep paralysis. Instead, they had to block both the ionotropic receptors and metabotropic GABAB receptors. This means that both GABA and glycine must be present together to maintain motor control during sleep.

This finding could have important implications for the treatment of sleep disorders, particularly REM sleep behaviour disorder, which can cause people to act out their dreams. It is also often an early indicator of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. By understanding the precise mechanism behind these chemicals' role in REM sleep, scientists may be able to develop new treatments for sleep disorders and potentially prevent the development of more serious conditions.

Sleep paralysis is linked to mental health conditions

Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs directly after falling asleep or upon waking up. It is a parasomnia, which is an abnormal behaviour during sleep. Sleep paralysis is associated with the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of the sleep cycle, where the eyes move quickly and vivid dreaming occurs. During this stage, the body's muscles are relaxed, which is known as atonia. Atonia is controlled by the brain and prevents people from acting out their dreams.

During sleep paralysis, people remain conscious, but their muscles are still in atonia. Episodes can be frightening and cause anxiety, and often involve hallucinations. Sleep paralysis has been linked to various mental health conditions, including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder
• Bipolar disorder

Research has also found that people who experience sleep paralysis often have a family history of the condition. However, no specific genetic basis has been identified.

Sleep paralysis is not dangerous but can cause emotional distress

Sleep paralysis is a temporary condition that occurs when you're unable to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking up. It happens during the REM stage of the sleep cycle when the eyes move rapidly and dreams are most vivid. During this stage, the body's muscles are typically relaxed and don't move, which is believed to prevent people from acting out their dreams. However, during sleep paralysis, the mind is awake, but the body remains in REM mode, resulting in a temporary paralysis.

While sleep paralysis is not dangerous in itself, it can cause significant emotional distress. People experiencing sleep paralysis may feel scared, anxious, or confused during or after an episode. It can be a frightening experience, leaving individuals worried and apprehensive about their sleep. This emotional distress can impact their daytime functioning and overall well-being.

The exact cause of sleep paralysis is not fully understood, but it is often associated with certain factors. These include irregular sleep schedules, sleep deprivation, sleeping on the back, and underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, the use of certain medications, such as those for ADHD, has been linked to sleep paralysis.

Although there is no treatment to stop a sleep paralysis episode once it starts, addressing the underlying causes can help reduce the frequency of occurrences. This may include improving sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and reducing stress. For those with mental health conditions, medication and behavioural therapy may also help resolve sleep paralysis.

Sleep paralysis can be treated with medication and therapy

Sleep paralysis is a condition in which a person is conscious but unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It occurs when the body is stuck between being awake and asleep, and can be a frightening experience. While sleep paralysis is not dangerous, it can cause emotional distress and anxiety. It is also linked to other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, and mental health conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and panic disorder.

Although there is limited evidence for effective treatments, sleep paralysis can be managed through medication and therapy:

Medication

Medications can be prescribed to prevent people from reaching the REM stage of sleep, where sleep paralysis occurs. These include antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine, clomipramine, and amitriptyline) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine.

Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be beneficial in treating the underlying causes of sleep paralysis, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Improving sleep hygiene—adhering to a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and reducing screen time before bed—is also recommended.

Additionally, people experiencing sleep paralysis can try techniques to break out of an episode, such as focusing on slowly moving one body part at a time.

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