Sleepwalkers, Demons, and Other Oscar-Worthy Nightmares

Based on paranormal beliefs and folklore, several types of otherworldly occurrences take place during sleep — encounters with “sleep demons,” shadow people, or unseen entities that drift through the veil between worlds. Ancient tales describe these moments as visits from entities that feed off fear and vulnerability. Much like the tale itself. . .
Scientists, however, attribute such episodes to sleep disorders like sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations — dream-like intrusions into wakefulness that blur the line between the physical and the supernatural.

The human body requires sleep. That’s not opinion — it’s biology. While you snooze, your brain is doing essential work, but being asleep leaves you vulnerable to the world around you: a locked door helps, but who (or what) you sleep next to can change how restorative that sleep actually is.

Why Sleep Matters

Your brain may weigh only ~2% of your body, but it consumes roughly 20% of your body's total energy and runs on an energy budget comparable to a small lightbulb — about 20 watts. That tiny powerhouse needs downtime to recharge, repair, and keep you sharp.

Sleep also appears intimately connected to long-term brain health: many studies link poor sleep and sleep disturbances with higher risks of cognitive decline and Alzheimer-type disease. In fact, nearly half of people with cognitive impairment report sleep problems before cognitive symptoms appear — so checking and improving sleep is a real, practical first step in protecting your mind.

Your Bedmates Matter - Energy and Vibes

Feeling safe and comfortable makes it easier to relax into deep sleep. People who sleep with trusted partners often have shorter time-to-sleep, more REM sleep, and report better sleep quality and mood. That’s not mystical — oxytocin, lower cortisol, and a sense of security do a lot of the heavy lifting. But — caveat — if your bedmate is a restless stranger, a chronic snorer, or someone who brings weird energy, the benefits vanish.

There’s really no way to know what your significant other is envisioning as they lie beside you, drifting off into unconsciousness. Are they happy? Unwillingly reliving old trauma? Whispering silent prayers — or screaming inwardly while wearing the mask of serenity? And what about you? Are we the demons? Because last I checked, we’re the ones who instill fear, manipulate, and create chaos. Maybe it’s not absurd to think that true demons don’t slither up from the underworld — they wake up next to you, wearing skin, smiling sweetly, and daydreaming darkly behind closed eyes, so choose your sleeping companion wisely.

Activity As You Sleep
Reasoning concludes that as the brain regenerates the body (specifically,) if you don't need so much revitalization you'd be afforded the luxury of being able to dream and have your brain put its energy into vivid imagery instead of focusing entirely repairing the system. That is if a person is in good shape and not overly tired, overworked or stressed out; i.e., if you have a soft life, you'll probably dream until the cows come home but if you are dead tired all the time, you best believe the only thing you're going to see when you sleep is your eyelids.

In short: sleep helps your brain scrub itself and restore balance — the ultimate natural recharge.

Folklore vs. REM: Demons, Succubi, and Sleep Paralysis

Throughout cultures and centuries, the night has been painted as a battleground between the spirit and the flesh. Terrifying nighttime visitations — incubi, succubi, and night hags — were the explanations of old for what we now call sleep paralysis.

During transitions into or out of REM sleep, your body can remain temporarily (momentarily) paralyzed while your conscious mind is awake, producing vivid hallucinations and the classic sense of a malevolent presence. Freaky, yes — supernatural, not necessary. Still, it’s easy to see why folklore framed these moments as dark encounters: when the body is frozen and the air feels heavy, even skeptics might sense an unseen force hovering nearby. But it's all in your head, and it's all relative. As to how you rationalize is on you but just know: G8WAY does not, nor have we ever condoned (much less support) antiquated notions of insipid subjects. Which is why there are no blogs herein covering such idiocy.

What's not included in those instances is the body's mechanics; it freezes up from time to time. Big whoop. Have you ever had a Charlie Horse? Yahuh. Also, while on the subject, the air thickening can be attributed to persons breathing differently when they're panicking. They hyperventilate and get excited; Many freeze up in fear when faced with adversity or something shocking. A lot of these old mysticisms do need to be put to rest, especially after the age of Reason. Lucid explanations debunk many mysticisms of which were put into circulation by the ignorance of slaves in the past.

A Tiny Ritual That Helps

Incorporating a clear-headed mantra or intention as you rinse the stress off before slumber can be a simple yet powerful ritual — cleansing your aura and signaling to your body that it’s time to rest. Science agrees; magic approves. Good sleep hygiene has been scientifically proven to reduce the above mentioned "episodes" for many people — though believers might still burn sage or hang an amulet, just in case. And no there's nothing wrong with guarding your space as you see fit. A pragmatic (and slightly witchy) habit many practicioners adopt is: a self-serving psalm in a warm shower an hour or two before bedtime to cleanse mind and body thus improving sleep onset and quality by helping your body’s temperature and temprement regulation. You are literally setting the mood.

A Personal Note on Hustle Culture (and Your Brain)

As a youth, I was tasked with being up around the clock, often working two jobs to “make it” in life. That was life for me (and many others) all throughout my 20s. And a hefty price will be paid later on, as it has been scientifically proven that our brains are in a developmental stage up until the age of 25!

So, yeah — there’s that. Tread lightly.

Bottom Line — Do Not Play About Your Sleep

• Who you sleep next to matters — safe, trusted bedmates improve sleep quality; demons disrupt it.

• Weird nighttime visitations usually have a medical explanation and it's usually sleep paralysis, not deities — but the mystery remains delicious to entertain.

• Simple rituals — a warm water cleanse, consistent schedule, and good sleep hygiene — move the needle more than you’d think.
  

So: get your sleep whenever you can. Protect it like the sacred act it truly is — because when the body rest, the spirit travels.