How Science Explains the Terrifying Link Between Sleep Paralysis and Demons
The incubus, a demon from folklore, finds a scientific explanation in sleep paralysis. This common sleep disorder, depicted in Johann Heinrich Füssli's iconic painting 'The Nightmare', occurs when the brain fails to coordinate with the nervous system during REM sleep.
Sleep paralysis leaves individuals conscious but unable to move, often accompanied by shortness of breath and hallucinations. Füssli's masterpiece, completed in the late 18th century, illustrates this phenomenon. The painting shows a woman, seemingly paralyzed, with a demon and a horse's head between fabrics, symbolizing the strange presences often felt during sleep paralysis.
Scientists believe sleep paralysis occurs when the mechanism that normally disables muscles during REM sleep malfunctions, turning against us. This lack of coordination can be terrifying, leading to the feeling of being trapped or threatened.
Sleep paralysis, once associated with supernatural entities like the incubus, is now understood as a neurological condition. Despite its frightening nature, it's generally harmless and treatable. Further research is needed to understand its exact causes and potential triggers.
