The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.

What Do You Hear During Sleep Paralysis?

by Hue
(England)

Kevin's Response: Hey Hue, thanks for the question. What people hear during an episode of sleep paralysis varies completely, from nothing at all to terrifying, nightmarish scenes that unfold as part of the hypnapompic hallucinations that can often accompany sleep paralysis.

Here's an example of a what I mean by a hypnopompic hallucination. This one involves an individual in the midst of a sleep paralysis episode hearing a witch threatening him or her with death.

Here's another, more detailed example of a woman describing a terrifying sleep paralysis hallucination where she was actually able to hear the thoughts of a horrible dark demon that appeared to her in her episode.

These are extreme examples of course, and like I said earlier sleep paralysis does not necessarily have to involve any noises being heard, but there certainly are some pretty fascinating experiences out there.

Read more stories about sleep paralysis submitted by visitors to this site.

Comments for
What Do You Hear During Sleep Paralysis?

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 21, 2011
Up again at 3 a.m........
by: KSmith

Tonight I heard a rolling gun battle before someone appeared in my room. Scary!

When I was a kid... I used to hear very loud footsteps and that's how I knew something was coming towards my bed. I would then hide under my covers and wait for the "thing" to arrive.

I am so thankful to have pets. This way I know for sure the noises are made up in my head. Each time I finally wake up from my paralysis, my pets are sound asleep.






Nov 02, 2011
My First
by: Anonymous

I had my first one last night, it was really stormy here and i was fearful that the roof would come off.. Anyway, i started my usual prayers in my head to god, and as the winds were getting strong i kept saying fear has no hold over me, So i peacefully drifted off to sleep.
I dont know what time it was, but i opened my eyes and i couldnt move, i couldnt talk i tried to make a noise and i sounded like someone gargling..

Next i felt this weight pushing down on my arms i couldnt move, then in my ear i heard, "you are not to know these things", well, these things that it mentioned i can only assume it ment by my prayers that fear has no hold over me..

I just hope i dont have another one, it is a scary thing to happen.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Sleep Paralysis Stories




Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.


Like This Page? Share It!


Site Sponsors

Our sponsorship policy


RespShop.com
Lowest CPAP Prices. World Wide shipping. 866-939-3754.

A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:

Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3). It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.

If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.

More Questions:

Ask | Answer

Sleep Resources

Ready to take your sleep game to the next level?

Track Your Own Sleep With Zeo Zeo - Personal Sleep Coach
Pro-grade personal sleep data
Essentials of Sleep Knowledge: A Free Book By William Dement Dr. Dement's Essentials
Free for joining our newsletter
Sleep Paralysis Treatment Book SP: A Dreamer's Guide
A breakthrough new e-book

Who We Are

Stanford Sleep & Dreams

Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

Hover your mouse over this area for more about this site and its mission.

Or, you can learn more about the team behind EYSD here.


Please Note:

The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.

For more info, see our
Terms of Use.