AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Sleep paralysis is a temporary state of involuntary immobility occurring in transitions between REM sleep and wakefulness. Patients are unable to make gross body movements or speak, but they can open their eyes and are aware of their surroundings.

Detailed explanation-2: -With REM sleep, changes occur in brain signaling which cause reduced muscle tone in many of the body’s muscles; this may be called REM sleep muscle paralysis or muscle atonia.

Detailed explanation-3: -During REM, the brain is very active, and dreams are at their most intense. But the voluntary muscles of the body-arms, legs, fingers, anything that is under conscious control-are paralyzed. Exactly how the muscles are paralyzed has been a mystery, however.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sleep paralysis occurs when the sleep cycle is shifting between stages. When you wake up suddenly from REM, your brain is awake, but your body is still in REM mode and can’t move, causing you to feel like you’re paralyzed. Episodes of sleep paralysis last from a few seconds to 1 or 2 minutes.

Detailed explanation-5: -During the REM stage, most muscles are paralyzed in a condition known as atonia. This keeps the legs and arms from flailing in response to dream content. Respiratory and eye muscles stay active, though, and the darting of the eyes behind closed eyelids is the inspiration for the name rapid eye movement sleep.