If you wake up at night with a feeling of choking, feel like there is someone in the room or something unusual, you think that some entity is piling on you and squeezing the chest, you know: you have a sleepy paralysis or old witch syndrome.
Syndrome of the old witch - a scientific explanation
Unpleasant state of sleepy paralysis, conscious sleep, during which you feel asphyxiation and immobility, scientists associated with the specifics of physiology.
As a rule, people complain that, in the so-called presumed state, or in the stage of falling asleep, they suddenly find that they can not move, shout, open their mouth to say the word. This state lasts only a few seconds, very rarely, a little longer, up to two minutes. Having woken up, the person is frightened, feels panic. The question of how to get out of sleepy paralysis usually does not arise, because this state quickly passes by itself, but if you realize what is happening to you, you will not be so scared.
From the physiological point of view, this condition is very similar to the harmless and natural paralysis that occurs during the phase of fast sleep and interferes with actions and movements. However, if the brain wakes up at this phase, the paralysis of the body can persist for a while.
Sleep paralysis in Orthodoxy and other religions
In the Russian folk tradition, which has pagan roots, the syndrome of the old witch is associated with the brownie, who either indulges in this way, or wants to warn about important future events. In Orthodoxy there is a theory that demons are the guilt of this state, and in the Muslim tradition this is associated with the tricks of gins. In the mythology of some countries, there are special names of entities that allegedly evoke this state.
Treatment of the syndrome of the old witch
Despite the panic that usually covers a person, if he can not move, this phenomenon is physiologically justified and safe. If you realize and accept this as truth , panic will not arise. All that is required of you in this state is to relax and calmly wait for the sleepy stupor to pass. You will learn how to easily fall asleep or wake up completely from this state if you give yourself such a setup.
In order for this state to bother you less often, sleep in suitable, convenient conditions: in the dark, in silence, in clean clothes, in a ventilated room, try to lie no later than 7-8 hours before the time of ascent. Such simple measures often solve the problem.