Eric had a dream where he reported feeling strapped down and unable to move or survey much of his surroundings. He thought he was abducted by aliens, but if he were from a different culture he would likely attribute the experience to ghosts or witches. What is the most likely explanation for Eric's experience?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eric's experience is typical of sleep paralysis, where a person is unable to move or speak while transitioning from sleep to wakefulness or vice versa. This often leads to feelings of being held down or a weight on the chest, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations or delusions. Many cultures have supernatural explanations for this phenomenon, but it can be explained by natural sleep processes.

Eric Had a Dream Where He Reported Feeling Strapped Down