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TED-Ed

The terrors of sleep paralysis - Ami Angelowicz

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Imagine you’re fast asleep and then suddenly awake. You want to move but can’t, as if someone is sitting on your chest. And you can't even scream! This is sleep paralysis, a creepy but common phenomenon caused by an overlap in REM sleep and waking stages. Ami Angelowicz describes just how pervasive (but harmless) it is and introduces a cast of characters from sleep paralysis around the world.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Director
Adam Comiskey
Educator
Ami Angelowicz
Animator
Rob Vaughan
Artist
Sam Davies
Narrator
Ami Angelowicz

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