13 Global Titles for the Sleep Paralysis Entity

Witches. Ghosts. Shadows. Not long ago, mysterious supernatural forces were considered the most believable cause for the eerie experience of sleep paralysis. Victims find themselves immobilized, unable to move, while enduring intense, frightening hallucinations far more vivid than typical dreams.

These hallucinations often feature an unwanted presence, often referred to as a “sleep paralysis demon,” though historically, the term “demon” was taken literally. Dutch physician Isbrand van Diemerbroeck described a patient in 1644, stating, “The devil lay upon her and held her down.” Even medical professionals of the time attributed the phenomenon to supernatural causes.

Sleep paralysis occurs when wakefulness coincides with the muscle paralysis stage of REM sleep. Essentially, the brain remains fully alert while the body remains in deep slumber. Classified as a parasomnia, it involves unusual and often unsettling physical experiences during sleep. Before modern medical explanations, various cultures turned to folklore and traditions to interpret this phenomenon. Discover these 13 cultural terms that describe sleep paralysis and the entity once thought to be responsible.

1. Mære

Long before the term lost its potency, nightmare originally described the nocturnal torment inflicted by a malevolent spirit known as a mære. This Old English term has uncertain ties to female horses. Etymology Online suggests it stems from the Proto-Indo-European root mer-, meaning “to harm,” and denotes a (usually female) demon that immobilizes and suffocates sleepers. This suffocation is a recurring theme in sleep paralysis lore, often attributed to the mære sitting or riding on victims for malevolent purposes, linking it closely to succubi.

The term mære and its linguistic relatives, such as mara in Old Norse, mare in Old Dutch, and mora in Slavic languages, have evolved into modern words like the French cauchemar and the Dutch nachtmerrie. Since sleep paralysis occupies the liminal space between wakefulness and dreams, mære may also connect to the Old Norse -mæri, meaning “borderland.”

2. Hexendrücken

When in doubt, blame the witches—this was a common mindset across many cultures to explain misfortunes. Hexendrücken, a catchy German term meaning “witch’s pressing,” attributed the torment of sleepers to malevolent witches. This belief persisted through events like the Salem Witch Trials, where accusations of nighttime oppression led to numerous deaths. Interestingly, in Germany, bad dreams unrelated to paralysis are still blamed on elves, with the term Alptraum, or “elf-dream,” used to describe nightmares.

3. Ogun Oru

In the Yoruba culture of southwest Nigeria, ogun oru translates to “nocturnal warfare” and is viewed as a demonic assault on both body and mind. This condition involves not only the terrifying loss of muscle control but also an epic battle between the sufferer’s earthly spouse and their “spiritual” counterpart, often resolved through exorcisms and Christian prayers.

4. Kanashibari

The Japanese term for sleep paralysis, kanashibari, means “bound in metal,” derived from kana (“metal”) and shibaru (“to bind”). It originates from a medieval Japanese spell used by priests to immobilize or expel mischievous supernatural entities called yokai. Among these yokai are the shape-shifting fox kitsune, the playful zashiki-warashi (“child ghost”), the makuragaeshi, and the infamous raccoon-like trickster tanuki, known for its magical testicles (yes, you read that correctly).

5. Se me subió el muerto

In Mexico, this eerie folk expression translates to “a dead body climbed on top of me,” capturing the terrifying sensation of being weighed down by an unseen force. The shadowy figures or apparitions often seen during these episodes are thought to be spirits of the dead, pressing down on the sleeper and rendering them immobile.

6. Old Hag

Commonly found in Britain, the Americas, and especially Canada’s Newfoundland province, the term old hag is a widely used colloquialism for sleep paralysis. The old hag, sometimes referred to as the “night hag,” stems from witch mythology, depicting a shriveled crone who sits on the sleeper’s chest, immobilizing them.

7. Karabasan

In Turkish folklore, karabasan is a creature whose name means “the dark assailer” or “the dark presser.” Similar to other terms, it describes both the state of paralysis and the supernatural spirit that looms over sleepers, exploiting their fears. The name comes from kara (“black”) and basmak (“to press” or “to overwhelm”), aptly describing a spirit that suffocates or terrifies sleepers in the night.

8. Pan Ephialtes

The 2nd-century Greek physician Galen first used the term ephialtes (“jumping on you”) to describe sleep paralysis. Later, in the 7th century CE, Byzantine physician Paulus Aegineta expanded on this, calling it “pan ephialtes.” Aegineta attributed the terrifying phenomenon to the mischievous deeds of Pan, the wild god, nymph companion, and panpipe player. Known for causing terror for amusement—hence the word panic—Pan’s alleged habit of trampling helpless sleepers aligns perfectly with his reputation.

9. Popobawa

The popobawa, an evil spirit from Zanzibar, Tanzania, is infamous for sexually assaulting its victims. Its name means “bat-wing” in Swahili, referencing the shadow it casts. This shapeshifting spirit first emerged in the mid-1960s on Pemba Island following a political revolution. A collective panic in 1995 even led to murder. Some argue the Zanzibari incubus is a postmodern delusion, reflecting the horrors of slavery and blending various cultural myths. Victims are warned to speak of the popobawa’s attacks or face repeated visits.

10. Gawi nulim (가위눌림)

This Korean term stands out for its striking literal meaning, combining gawi (“nightmare, incubus”) and nulida (“to be pressed down”). Like in many cultures, it’s often attributed to the unsettling actions of a restless ghost.

11. Uqumangirniq

An Inuit term from Canada’s Baffin Island, uqumangirniq describes an attack by shamans or evil spirits during sleep, when the soul is believed to be most vulnerable. A similar concept, aqtuqsinniq, is found in the Kivalliq region northwest of Hudson Bay.

12. Pisadeira

Back sleepers, take heed. The Pisadeira, a haggish figure with long, sharp nails from southwestern Brazil, earns her name from “she who steps.” Described as gaunt and disheveled (though Afro-Brazilian tales depict her as large and heavy), she prowls rooftops and targets those who sleep on their backs after heavy meals. Her origins may stem from a Portuguese myth of a red-capped friar who entered homes through keyholes to torment sleepers, combined with Tupi legends of a malevolent old woman who disrupted sleep.

13. Pesanta

In Catalan folklore, Pesanta is a massive demon dog that sometimes takes the form of a cat. With iron legs and dense black fur, this supernatural creature enjoys crushing sleepers, much like a pet—except it resides in churches and ruins, can walk through walls, and has hole-ridden paws, ensuring it crushes but doesn’t steal.