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Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
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Sleep paralysis and folklore.

Ann M Cox1

  • 1AMC Consulting, 12 Luba Avenue, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1G4, Canada.

JRSM Open
|December 24, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sleep paralysis, historically linked to malevolent spirits, is now understood as a REM sleep timing issue. This condition explains unexplained nocturnal deaths and ancient folklore surrounding night terrors.

Keywords:
Lilithdreamsfolkloreincubusnightmaresleep disorderssleep paralysissuccubussudden death

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Cultural Anthropology

Background:

  • Sleep paralysis has ancient roots, often mythologized as demonic visitations.
  • Historically documented as 'Incubus' or 'Night-Mare' since 1664.
  • Linked to Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS) in Southeast Asia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the historical and cultural interpretations of sleep paralysis.
  • To connect ancient beliefs with modern clinical understanding of sleep paralysis.
  • To investigate the link between sleep paralysis and unexplained nocturnal deaths.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical medical texts and folklore.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data concerning Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome.
  • Correlation of cultural beliefs with clinical sleep disorder phenomena.

Main Results:

  • Sleep paralysis is clinically defined as partial consciousness during REM sleep.
  • A high prevalence of sleep paralysis and related folklore was observed in communities with SUNDS.
  • Ancient myths of demons and night spirits align with the physiological experience of sleep paralysis.

Conclusions:

  • Modern sleep paralysis provides a scientific explanation for historical 'nightmare' phenomena.
  • Cultural beliefs about malevolent spirits may stem from sleep paralysis experiences.
  • Understanding sleep paralysis bridges historical interpretations and contemporary neuroscience.