what does it mean when your laying down and bed and feel like your being held down?

Question

Several times as I was sleep I was trying to get up but it felt like someone was holding me down. I tried talking but it seemed as thought I couldnt talk, sort of like I was gasping for words. What does that mean?

Answer 1

Sleep paralysis occurs during REM sleep in order to prevent the body from manifesting the sleeper's dreams.[citation needed] Little is known about the physiology of sleep paralysis. However, some have suggested that it may be linked to post-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain. In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles, to prevent the body from enacting the dreamt activity (e.g. preventing a sleeper from running when dreaming about running).

There is also a significant positive correlation between those experiencing this disorder frequently and those suffering from narcolepsy. However, various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives.

Some report that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include: [2]

Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards)
Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation
Increased stress
Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes
A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode. Also conscious induction of sleep paralysis is a common technique to enter a state of lucid dreams, also known as WILD[1] .
Artificial sleeping aids or antihistamines

Answer 2

i think this might be when you get caught between sleep states. when you reach the dream stage of sleep your body is paralysed to prevent you carrying out the actions in you dreams but sometimes your mind will wake up while your body is asleep. i'm not sure if this is a condition or not perhaps you should talk to your doctor?