ashtar-sheran asked: Hello! I am studying Psychology in college but I have only taken Intro so far. However, since it interests me, I've researched and read more on it. There is this post on facebook that my friend made:

http://www.facebook.com/StaticErika/posts/10150207402798028?notif_t=feed_comment_reply

If you can read it, then basically, the Rudie guy is a deeply religious, “newfound Christian guy.” He went from Atheist to religious fanatic in a short amount of time.

If you can’t read the post, well, my friend posted how she hates sleep paralysis and had it three times this week. She is into Wiccan stuff but knows the difference between Science and religion, so she knows that it’s not caused by demons or anything like that. I asked her if she had migraines, and she said yes, very badly. I don’t know what to suggest (besides consulting a certified person), but the religious fanatic told her she should go to church. Then a girl explained what sleep paralysis is from a medical side, and he got kind of offended. He said: 
“So what?
That's it?
That your body hasn't woken up from a rem cycle
So you can't move or anything
I use to think that too
Funny thing is people that go through sleep paralyis report very simliar things going on
How do explain that
Are we all having the same dream?
I went through sleepy paralyis also
And made it stop and it has never come back
My sister goes through it to
And still is”

I’m sensing that he’s about to say “You need Jesus in your life” or something similar, but can you give me some information on it to make my point valid?

Thank you so much and sorry for the long read.


I can’t read it, unfortunately :(

Well, first, I would recommend your friend see a neurologist immediately. 

Also, I have never even heard of sleep paralysis before, so this is all based on a quick wiki-search.

Okay, well I called a neurologist, because I happen to have one on speed dial, and he said:

• Change sleeping habits—sleep at one particular time, don’t oversleep. Make sure your sleep schedule is regular.
• Make sure you don’t have narcolepsy.
• Medication to cut down REM sleep (ex. alavil, tricyclic)

So, like I said, she should contact a neurologist ASAP if this is really bothering her, or he said that she could just wait until it stops if it doesn’t really bother her/isn’t interfering with her life too much.

Also, I don’t know what Mr. I’m-Religious-So-I-Am-Obviously-Certified-To-Give-Advice-On-Every-Situation meant by “Funny thing is people that go through sleep paralyis report very simliar things going on 

How do explain that 
Are we all having the same dream?”

I mean, isn’t the whole idea of sleep paralysis that your mind is awake but your body is still asleep/paralyzed?

Basically, I think this guy is an idiot. There is NO evidence that going to church or loving Jesus will make sleep paralysis stop, besides his anecdotal evidence. 

Unfortunately, I really don’t have anything that might be helpful in making your point more valid. I did a quick google search “sleep paralysis site:.edu” for studies, but not much came up, I think it, like many other things regarding sleep, doesn’t have a whole lot of research to it’s name. 

Personally, I would just un-friend religious guy. I go out of my way to cut crazy religious people out of my life when they get offended by medicine/science/reason. I really don’t like having people in my life telling me that Jesus will solve my health problems. Guess what, he won’t and you’ll be screwed. 

I would do more research, but unfortunately I should be writing a paper right now and I’ve been procrastinating all day :( Anymore info from any of you guys would be greatly appreciated!