"Sleep Paralysis and the Business of Fear: A Scientific Study on Awareness, Experience, and Misconceptions in Society"

Sleep paralysis is a temporary condition in which a person is unable to move or speak while waking up or falling asleep. Although it has a clear scientific explanation related to REM sleep and brain-body coordination, many people still associate it with supernatural beliefs. This study aims to analyze the experiences of individuals and understand how fear, lack of awareness, and societal beliefs contribute to misconceptions. The research also highlights the existence of a “fear-based belief system” in society, where individuals such as tantriks or ojha babas take advantage of such phenomena. A primary survey was conducted among two age groups to study awareness and experiences. The findings suggest that education and awareness can significantly reduce fear and superstition.