Waking up is supposed to feel peaceful — a slow return to the world around you. But for some, that moment turns into pure terror. One second you’re opening your eyes, and the next you realize you can’t move, can’t speak, can’t even cry out for help. It feels like something heavy is holding you down. Maybe you’ve even seen dark shapes or felt a presence in the room. If this has ever happened to you, you’re far from alone. What you experienced is called sleep paralysis — a chilling moment when your mind wakes up, but your body is still locked in dream mode. And while it feels like a nightmare slipping into real life, it has a very real scientific cause.
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