Sleep paralysis is a temporary loss of muscle control that occurs just after falling asleep or before waking up. It is believed to be caused by a disturbed rapid eye movement (REM) cycle, as it mostly happens when people are falling into or coming out of REM sleep
. Other factors that may be linked to sleep paralysis include lack of sleep, a sleep schedule that changes, mental conditions such as stress or bipolar disorder, sleeping on your back, other sleep problems such as narcolepsy or nighttime leg cramps, and the use of certain medications or substance abuse
. Certain mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders have also shown a connection to sleep paralysis
. Additionally, sleep paralysis has been linked to conditions such as increased stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation
. While the exact cause of sleep paralysis is not fully understood, it is generally considered a benign condition that is not considered dangerous, although it can cause emotional distress for some people
