Terrifying video shows what sleep paralysis usually feels like and it's not for the faint of heart
What is worse than a nightmare?
A nightmare you cannot wake up from! Sleep paralysis is one of the most terrifying things that can happen to someone, as the brain is aware but the person is unable to move or speak as the body is asleep. A sleep disorder, it affects 8 to 30 percent of people. Wishing to re-create the terror that ensues, filmmaker Steal Adcock (@HandintheBoxInx) created a nerve-wracking POV (point of view) simulation of the same on YouTube.
The realistic simulation begins as the dreamer opens their eyes to an electric air fan near the bed as the blankets lie crumpled. The camera blanks out in intervals to mimic the act of a human blinking, which allows for an immersive experience. Subsequently, an eerie shadow creeps out from under the bed and disappears into the darkness. Spine-chilling growling noises follow as a black cat suddenly appears out of nowhere. Though the cat seems rather adorable, the arachnid cameo makes the scene all too unpleasant. The spider, a tarantula, crawls out of thin air and almost lands on the bed before disappearing again.
Strange sounds, like that of a train passing in a subway station, are heard in the backdrop. The scene then focuses on the air fan, which appears washed out with a bright blue-white light. As the dreamer looks on, the circular fan stretches into an irregular shape with distorted hues. Although there are no creepy creatures anymore, the blue light keeps flashing on the wall until smoke emerges from below. A few seconds later, viewers find themselves transported to a cosmos of bright orange colors as if the universe or some unknown galaxy was on fire. The frightening sounds intensify as the dreamer returns to the view of the air fan. Suddenly, viewers are caught off-guard when a horrifying face appears from the edge of the frame. A face with a gaping mouth stares at the dreamer with tears of blood streaming down its face. The face, what seems like a version of the Grim Reaper, creeps in as the frame starts shaking, and a loud gunshot sound finally forces the dreamer out of the paralysis.
Understandably, the simulation scared the life out of netizens who found the video all too real. “I had sleep paralysis once. I'm never gonna look at eagles the same way again,” a person (@holographiccreeper8625) shared, while another (@RafaelPersnia) noted, “I’ve rarely managed to open my eyes but the sounds are on point.” “Sleep paralysis victim here can confirm this is how it’s like,” chimed another (@robloxscancer3343). As the comments poured in, a concerned person (@kitchenchroniclesxo5845) echoed, “I’ve experienced sleep paralysis for 32 years. I was 5 years old when I experienced it. It’s terrifying beyond any word or video can explain. This is child’s play compared to what I go through.”
According to sleep medicine physician, Susie Fong, MD, of UCLA Health, sleep paralysis can often feel like a person is 'trapped' in their own body. “The person has lost muscle control. Their eyes are able to move and they can breathe–those are the only muscles functioning at that time.” She explained that this is caused because our brain paralyzes our muscles when we are in REM sleep. The eye and the respiratory muscles are the only organs active during deep sleep or REM atonia.
You can follow @HandintheBoxInc on YouTube for more interesting videos.