The Old Hag and Sleep Paralysis: Why You Should Befriend Her

The Old Hag is at it again; sitting atop you while you are awake and aware, but unable to move due to sleep paralysis. Are you really asleep, or awake and paralyzed? And who is this Old Hag?

That pretty much describes the being that's on top of you and won't let you move. What's really going on here? The night show, "Coast to Coast," hosted by George Noori, sometimes has people calling in to relate their experiences with the Old Hag.

Does the Old Hag really exist? The medical explanation is that sleep paralysis happens when the mechanism, that prevents you from physically acting out your dreams, doesn't shut off when your dream-stage of sleep concludes. You awaken from the dream, fully aware, but paralyzed; you're not asleep, actually.

Some people report that their sleep paralysis is accompanied by an Old Hag perched atop their chest, often creating pressure on their chest. This terrified some folks and as a result of this fear, their senses become heightened.

The medical explanation is that this aged crusty-looking woman is a figment of the person's dream state of mind; they aren't fully awake, and perhaps there is some dream residue going on.

But if this is true, why is the creature always an old hag? Why not a pretty young princess? Or a bird, cat, dog, butterfly or tree? Or a handsome young man or old ugly man? Why an aged demented-looking woman? The "Old Hag syndrome" has been reported worldwide in a variety of cultures.

Nevertheless, the Old Hag is nobody or nothing to fear. Next time you awaken to be met by the Old Hag, try to crack a smile at her. Yes, it may be possible to smile a little during sleep paralysis.

I've experienced sleep paralysis dozens of times and can actually move my mouth. I can certainly move my eyelids. I've never encountered the Old Hag, however. My sleep paralysis experiences have always been pleasant, but frustrating, in that I am unable to use them as a launching pad to an out-of-body experience, as some people claim they can be.

Make friends with the Old Hag because this is your opportunity to have an out of body experience (astral projection). Concentrate on exiting your body. According to astral projection enthusiasts, sleep paralysis means you are just one or two steps away from an out-of-body experience. So why don't you befriend the Old Hag, and she won't seem so frightening anymore.