Doctor shares four things you should never do if you have sleep paralysis

Imagine waking up from a deep sleep, only to find yourself frozen in place, unable to move or speak, as though an invisible force holds you captive in your own bed.

Some people can even see and hear things that aren't really there because of it. This eerie and often alarming state is known as sleep paralysis.

The strange phenomenon that occurs when you are somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. It is thought to be linked to stress and anxiety.

But while it isn't harmful and should pass quickly, a doctor has issued a warning about things you should never do when you experience this. Doctor Joe MD, who is known for sharing his medical advice online, also struggles with episodes of sleep paralysis.

In his latest video, which has gained more than 32,000 likes, he opened up about his experience while listing four things that should never be done when it happens. He explained: "I had the most terrifying sleep paralysis this morning, so I wanted to tell you the four things you should never do if you're having sleep paralysis.

"Normally, during the REM phase of sleep, your brain is highly active. This is when you dream. And to prevent you from acting out your dreams, your brain sends signals to inhibitory neurons to deactivate your skeletal muscles, essentially causing paralysis. When there's a disruption or an overlap between the rim and wakefulness cycle.

"This is when sleep paralysis occurs. Things you should never do. Number one: Do not believe everything you experience during sleep paralysis. You can have very vivid hallucinations, and they're often unpleasant. We're talking demons.

"Number two: Don't focus on the visions. Be aware that they're not real. And this will allow you to shift your focus elsewhere. Number three: Don't let your eyes wander. You may see things you're not ready to see. Instead, close your eyes, which will shut out any bad visions and allow you to have a calm space to talk yourself down.

"And four, don't struggle to get out of the sleep paralysis. This will cause panic, which is never good unless you're at the disco. Instead, focus on little movements like wiggling your pinky or your little toe. This may wake up your nervous system and help you come out of it."

TikTok users were left stunned by the warning with many taking to the comments to thank him for the advice. One user said: "I used to be scared but now I just get mad every time."

Another added: "This just happened to me, I don't wanna sleep again," as a third commented: "My sleep paralysis is never scary visions but I am awake and can't move and it's hard to breath and I'm trying so hard to get my husband to help me and right when I think I'm going to die, it stops."

Meanwhile, a fourth penned: "Why demons though? There is definitely something spiritual happening during sleep paralysis."