The Science Behind Sleep Paralysis

8. Sleep Paralysis and Neurodegeneration

Muscle paralysis during REM sleep is a normal safety mechanism. If this paralytic process is impaired, people may physically act out their dreams, in some cases injuring themselves and their partners. Researchers have found that this type of REM sleep behavior disorder can precede neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The cumulative sleep deprivation contributes to cognitive dysfunction related to neurodegeneration, and once neurodegeneration starts, it worsens sleep deprivation, creating a cruel cycle.