posted on May, 27 2003 @ 12:49 AM
Hello Reap, here's a clinical analysis that relates to your comment:
Characteristics of REM respiration include shallow rapid breathing, hypoxia, hypercapnia, and occlusion of airways (Douglas, 1994). Both tidal volume
and breathing rate are quite variable during REM, and because of paralysis of the major anti-gravity muscles, thoracic contribution to breathing is
lower during REM than during NREM sleep (Douglas, 1994). Moreover, because individuals are conscious during SP they may sometimes attempt to breathe
deeply when tidal volume decreases, just as they attempt other voluntary movements. When they find their attempts to control breathing volume and rate
are unsuccessful, they will feel a sense of resistance possibly interpreted as pressure. This is consistent with the finding that the pressure on the
chest is positively associated with perceived breathing problems (Cheyne, Newby-Clarke, & Rueffer, 1999; Cheyne, Rueffer, & Newby Clark, 1999). In
addition, increased airflow resistance because of hypotonia of the upper airway muscles and constriction of the airways would result in feelings of
choking and suffocation leading to panic and strenuous efforts to overcome the paralysis. This sequence of events is consistent with a report by
Hobson, Goldfrank, & Snyder (1965) of a dream immediately following apneic respiration during REM in which the dreamer reported being choked in a
dream play. Finally, because of the paralysis, the absence of dampening proprioceptive feedback following execution of motor programs associated with
struggle may further lead to painful spasms (Ramachandran, Rogers-Ramachandran, & Cobb, 1995). In summary, we suggest that the incubus experience
results froma cascading series of events initiated by complex respiratory conditions leading to experiences of thoracic pressure, choking, and
physical assault with associated pain.