I find myself lying in bed, getting closer to sleep. My mind calmly runs through the memories of the day. Deeper and deeper. Closer to dreamland. My body slowly goes numb and settles into a more rested state. Suddenly, I am awakened by an incredible force that traps my entire body at once. It's extremely strong. My limbs desperately try to fight back only to find themselves powerless against this invisible... something... what it is, I'm not sure. I feel paralyzed. I am physically unable to move a muscle. I try to scream. The noise won't come. I try to shout louder. Still nothing. I want to cry. It's so heavy to weigh me down. I am overwhelmed by darkness and fear. The more I try to push him away, the more he pushes me harder and harder. I'm annoyed by the fact that I don't see anything causing this intense pressure. I feel out of breath. I wonder if I've officially lost my mind. Nothing in the world could make me feel so incredibly helpless. I'm starting to realize that there's nothing I can do to stop this from happening. I give in. I accept my defeat. Slowly, the force begins to recede. I find myself babbling strangely, clutching deliriously to my pillows and blankets. I am gradually regaining control of my muscular movements. Heaviness no longer hangs in the air. It's just me now. Still lying in bed. Yet now I am terrified, confused and unsure of what just happened to me. I was 16 the first time this happened to me. This has happened to me countless times since, each time in a slightly different way. I always dread the day it happens again, because I know it will. Nevertheless, I recently discovered that there is actually a worldly explanation for these episodes that I have learned to fear over the years - as I honestly had...... middle of paper .... ../login?url = http://search.proquest.com/docview/1033350360?accountid=3779Reisner, A.D. (March 2001). A psychological case study of visiting “demons” and “aliens.” The Skeptical Inquirer, 25, 46-50. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.greatbay.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/219327032?accountid=3779Paralysis; publication of the results of a study by the University of Bologna in the field of paralysis. (2009). Pain and Central Nervous System Week, , 238. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.greatbay.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/208504596?accountid=3779LOVE, H. ( 2012). Sleep paralysis. Skeptic, 17(2), 50-55.Knott, Dr. Laurence. “Hypnagogic hallucinations”. Patient.co.uk. Np, and Web. April 14, 2014. McMahon, M. What are hypnagogic hallucinations?. wiseGEEK. Retrieved April 14, 2014 from http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-hypnagogic-hallucinations.htm