AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Nerve pathways in the brain that prevent muscles from moving are active during normal REM or dreaming sleep, resulting in temporary paralysis of your body. In REM sleep behavior disorder, these pathways no longer work and you may physically act out your dreams.

Detailed explanation-2: -Why does sleep paralysis happen? During the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage, you’re likely to have dreams. The brain prevents muscles in your limbs from moving to protect yourself from acting dreams out and hurting yourself. Sleep paralysis happens when you regain awareness going into or coming out of REM.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, you may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sleep paralysis is a condition identified by a brief loss of muscle control, known as atonia. View Source, that happens just after falling asleep or waking up. In addition to atonia, people often experience hallucinations during episodes of sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis is considered a parasomnia.