Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming?

Question

I've having these episodes where I realize I'm dreaming but can't wake up. The combination of the two used to happen to me very rarely - say, less than once a year. It's happened 3 times now this week.

I understand the science behind it all, so no lessons please. What I'm asking is whether anyone has a good way to wake myself up when this is happening, as it's quite frightening. I try to hurt myself in the dream, but of course since it's not real it doesn't cause me to feel anything to awaken. Eventually I just sort of "wrench" myself out of it. But that takes the effort of every fiber of my being. Are there easier ways?

Answer 1

This happens to me at least once a month or so, enough over time that I haven't had panic over it in years. What I do is to just relax into it, listening to the sounds around me in the house as though I am already awake, and in a few minutes (probably seconds, actually), I wake up. I know it sounds like an easier-said-than-done thing, and it is the first few times, but once I got the hang of it I do it now without even thinking about it.

The attempt to wrench yourself out of it is actually causing the fear. Relaxing will eliminate it, I found this out through personal experience, just working through it myself.

I do actually stay in it for fun sometimes if it's the weekend. But when it happens on weekday mornings, I have no choice but to get up for work.

Answer 2

I have included a link to the Lucidity Institute below. The work of Dr. Stephen LaBerge is excellent.

In my readings of his work he establishes a signal before he falls asleep to alert him that he is in a dream state. This can be anything out of place. I believe he was working on (or has) a mask that flashes light when you reach REM sleep to alert you that you are in a dream state.

In theory you could create an escape door (or anything) that will allow you to come back to consciousness whenever you choose.

I think the main point is have this set up before hand not trying to find ways once you are already in the dream.

Of course if you know you are dreaming you could also shape your dream so that it can be pleasant.

Answer 3

First of all, why would you want to wake yourself up during a lucid dream? You could do things that you can't do awake, like fly, or create almost any image. Some people also use these experiences for practical matters, like practice in public speeches.

Also, it's actually an accomplishment to stay inside a lucid dream. Normally, people just wake up from the dream when they learn that they are dreaming.

But if you really want help, I'll try to give it to you. From the title, I can guess that you experience sleep paralysis while falling asleep. Normally, for this to happen, there is very little sensory activity (little noise, no light, etc.). Maybe you can try to do something different while going to sleep, like keeping a light on outside of the bedroom.

If that doesn't work, http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Lucid_Dream... is a link to a WikiBook about how to start a lucid dream. Try to NOT PERFORM the methods mentioned on the site, and that could help you.

Answer 4

I wish i could do that.

You're lucky.

I heard that it can be caused by too much vitamin B right before you go to bed.

Answer 5

I think I can help you. I was compelled to write the incredible full story of my own journey which helped me understand what was happening and part of my experiences were exactly like yours. Relax and trust that, even though you're terrified, you're okay. I know it sounds crazy but the sensations have significance in your mind's processing and healing. The brain/psyche is as miraculous as life itself and what takes place in our sub-conscious minds can signal the conscious mind that our normal functional state is being compromised. Sleep paralysis is not really paranormal but rather a meta-phenomenon that normally manifests because of extreme stress added to exhaustion and occurs in the Theta brainwave state which is one state above Delta, the sleep state. Often it occurs when falling asleep or right before waking.  Since we are, first and foremost, programmed to instinctively survive, the mind will do strange things to help provide us with an escape to temporarily relieve us from our real stress and your sub-conscious is actively participating in the fight or flight instinct. If this keeps happening, you will eventually gain control over the scarier feelings and possibly enjoy these little escapes like you do when lucid dreaming. But don't discount what is taking place. It is all significant because it is subconsciously driven and holds clues to deep issues you might need to address. Personally, while going through a dark period, I perceived an exorcism, being molested by invisible hands, having a device planted in my brain, a panther sitting beside me and levitation which then became the sensation of leaving my body, flying through my ceiling and having wonderful out of body experiences. . Since we process and heal while we sleep, I started perceiving it as a gift to help me through. I sought help from a psychiatrist who helped me identify the origins of what surfaced. It is VERY important to sleep so don't deprive yourself just to see what's going to unfold. Do keep a diary and I think you'll find this is a reasonable explanation

Answer 6

Sounds like Succumbus, Incubus or The Old Hag