Browsing through the Canvas magazine yesterday, I came across an article on sleeping disorders. Most of them were the regulars like sleepwalking, insomnia, etc. But one in particular arrested my complete attention. It was referred to as an incubus attack.
What is an incubus attack? The scientific definition goes like this: They [incubus attacks] can be hypnopompic (occurring while awakening) or hypnagogic (occurring while falling asleep) and are associated with frightening imagery or hallucinations.
In the article I read, they had a case study of an incubus attack that went something like this:
Martha is a 37-year-old paralegal secretary. She was recently divorced and living alone in an apartment when she awoke one night to find herself unable to move. She gradually noted the presence of someone or something in the room. Desperate to get away, she struggled to move but without success. To her horror, she saw an evil-looking creature sitting in the far corner of her room. Struggling to breathe, she was face-to-face with a threatening demon. Finally she seemed to be able to breathe again. She gradually got out of bed, with a deep sense of dread.
Martha could hardly stand being in her apartment after that (surprise surprise), and went to a psychiatrist for psychotherapy sessions. Though she hasn’t yet had a second so-called incubus attack, she remains haunted by the experience and can’t let go of her belief that she was visited by a demon.
But, just like I referred to in my post a few days ago, scientists are quick to offer a very natural explanation.
An Incubus Attack is simply when the patient’s sleep is fragmented (perhaps due to extreme stress) so that part of the brain is in the REM phase of sleep while the other is awake. This causes the patient to feel the paralysis of REM sleep in a real, conscious way, and yet because they are also dreaming, the mind makes up a story to explain the sensation — such as a creature sitting on one’s chest.
Oh, phew, we can yet again explain away the supernatural.
Or can we?
The sleep-psychologist in the article goes on to say that:
Martha had a strict religious upbringing that probably made her more susceptible to her interpretation. But patients I’ve had who fully accepted my explanation and did not believe in supernatural events were still shaken to the core by the incubus attacks.
My question to whoever reads this is, what do you think of these incidents? Are they . . .
- Rare cases of people who have had their eyes opened to a glimpse of the supernatural realm prevalent around us
- A regular sleeping disorder
- Something that remains a mystery
I personally know of two people who have experienced very similar, and just as real, visitations by demonic beings and would be very interested to know what they, in particular, think of this article.
Click here for more reading on incubus attacks.
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Interesting! I too have heard about this scientific name… also know of a few who have been unable to move when having demonic experiences like this… very interesting!
Am I one of those people?
Weird. I had an experience very similar to those described. Will have to tell you about it sometime.
nope, i'm pretty sure it's all demonic… it's only happened to me once, but that was more than enough!
Personally, I get the REM paralysis while semi-conscious quite a lot, but have never seen any demonic presences in the room while that has happened. And, quite frankly, I don't say that with regret.
I am an energy healer and have seen this quite a few times and also used to experience these “attacks” with paralysis, a strong sense of dread, and occasionally a demon. What I’ve found over years of communication with spirit: Forget the psychological mumbo-jumbo: these demons exist and are from another dimension. From what I can tell, they wreak havoc on many of us in this dimension. They thrive on fear and you CAN eventually get rid of them.
I’ve had a few of these experiences over the years, one only a few nights ago.
The most disturbing was about twenty years ago when I “awoke” to feel something sitting on my chest and holding the blanket over my face, as if to smother me. I kept fighting the blanket down from my face, but it kept being pushed back up and held there. Eventually I was able to keep it down, and found myself alone with the sensation of something on my chest having gone away. I’ve never forgotten it…it was possibly the most terrifying experience of my life.
Just two nights ago, I woke with the sensation that someone or something had been pulling forcefully on my arm, which was hanging over the edge of the bed. It was such a vivid experience that I had the “after-sensation” of my arm having been in a tight grip, and I was completely paralyzed for what seemed like a full minute before I could move a muscle.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions in response to this; just be patient as I am pretty busy and it may take me a while to get to it.
I often have these attacks myself. A lot much like the other case’s. But also when I am dreaming sometimes I become aware of the fact that I am “in a dream”. I try to bring myself out of it sometimes. When this happens often in the dream I expel something from my mouth. When I awake there is nothing that looks like vomit or anything around me. But in the dream I have the very real sensation of something coming from my mouth and stomach.
I will contest that that I feel both the science and spiritual aspect of this is real. Those who drift easily into other dimensions in the realm cycle sometimes have trauma getting back to there bodies. Other times with this open door you are open for attack! I have been attacked just like the others stories, not being able to breath, something heavy on my chest. But the worst was when I could feel the demon on top of me and pulling me up in the bed…I hate to say it…never have I told anyone….but this demon or whatever was trying to rape me or assault me sexually! I was able to get enough noise out (now I could not move my mouth), like a dog I was able to howl…my father came running in the room and grabbed me…at that point I was fully conscious and free. It was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me.
The best thing I have found to help or prevent these occurrences is to pray before sleep. Surround yourself and your room with the white light as much as possible, always ask your spirit guide and angels for help…THEY CAN HELP YOU. I have named my spirit guide and when I get lost sometimes I can feel him grab my hand and help me back. Last, and if all this sounds crazy to you try to make a connection with your gut in your dream…if you can get a connection with the body it sometimes can bring you out.
Hello, with the abundance of crappy blogs around it’s great to see that there are still some filled with fantastic content! Is there any way I can be emailed when you create a new post? thanks!
Hi Melony,
Thanks for commenting! You can subscribe to the posts by either entering your email address in the “Subscribe to email updates” area down the right-hand side of the blog or by entering the RSS feed of my blog (the link is just under the email subscription box) into your favourite RSS reader.
I too have these paralyzed states happen to me. It’s been sexual in nature — I can hear somebody moving across the carpet at the foot of my bed, sometimes I could hear a jingling, as if there are coins in pants-pocket, I always got the sensation that this ‘thing’ wants to have sex with me — although recently this sex sensation has gone away. I try to wake up fully, but my body is paralyzed. Once, I had a real sensation of somebody standing next to my bed, a dark shadow in the form of a man, which then began to move onto me, sitting on top of me — it was then that I realised that it was in the shape of an ex-boyfriend. I woke up freaked out, because it felt so real. That only happened once, but lately I’ve had paralyzed states happen again, and I even start getting goosebumps while I’m asleep because I think there’s somebody in the house / room with me.
Once, I even felt it was telling me to give it my hands — I struggled hard to shake myself to wake up — no way was I going to give it my hands! But it felt like my body was being compelled to move towards it. Thankfully I awoke.
Another time I dreamt that I was hurtling towards a mirror, saw myself in it, and then went into it, I was flying around in darkness with this presence, I called out Jesus’s name — even though I am not Christian, or don’t see myself as such, and am not in the habit of calling on Jesus in my prayers. Another thing that popped into my head once was that I should sing in my paralyzed state in order to wake up. I tried that twice I think — it seemed to work, and perhaps it can work better the more you do it. I don’t know. It is freaky.
My sister had a similar eery presence after the birth of her daughter, she said that somehow she had an image of a red-haired lady in mind, that tried to get to her newborn. She had a shrieky voice, which freaked my sister out. It’s seriously strange this stuff. WTF man ? LOL
I have had about 5 dreams so far about waking up in bed and not being able to move or speak, but that was about it, although i was really scared.last time I had this happen to me I eventually regained movement in my limbs and I got up to walk to my bathroom, but on the way there, I couldn’t open my eyes and i was being pushed into the walls. I fell upon the same article the other day and when I read the story about Martha I felt like all me questions had been answered but then again I’m still confused on what to call my dreams because my “attacks” don’t include a demon or any sort of figure, i just feel like something is going to attack me if i don’t get up, and when I wake up I cant sleep for the rest of the night. I’m not sure if my dreams are anything close to the demonic attacks these other people are having but I felt like maybe someone would give me some sort of explanation. i really interested to figure out what it all means because these are the only dreams that make me feel so real and actually leave me scared.
Thank you. I am unsure why this topic isn’t a lot more well known. My spouse may possibly have it.
My brother has experienced what most of you are describing for years now. The sensation that something is on your chest, and you’re in a suffocated state of paralysis. However, I don’t believe this is what’s known as the ‘incubus’, as incubi are sexual in nature. This, I have unfortunately experienced. It’s not frequent, but seems to occur when one is attempting abstinence or has made the obvious choice to refrain from or resist sex in any way; it could be by choice, or once a sexual relationship has ended, or what people refer to as a “dry spell” (haha). It is said to attack those who are celibate by choice (like nuns), or the sexually frustrated. Anyway, it’s literally being raped by a demonic spirit. You are most definitely trapped between dreaming and consciousness, and in a state of paralysis, or rather a feeling of having no strength at all. You awake right in the moment that it’s happening, just enough to realize what’s going on, but also that you have no control over it. It’s almost as if you’re being mocked. What happens in the dream usually is something vial, of a very dark and lustful nature; something you yourself would never think of on your own. Just evil. During this scene, the demon will proceed to force sexual arousal upon you, until you have an orgasm. It is in this moment that you awake. Understandably disturbed, I prayed and sought reason for this and how to handle it. The next time I had an incubus dream, I found myself praying when I awoke, praising the name of Jesus, and it ceased. Can’t deny that that’s pretty cool. All I know is that this is real, it has happened to me on several different occasions; I’d share the dream content if it weren’t so disturbing, and while certainly not my own thoughts, embarrassing. I’d like very much to be aware of why or how such an entity is granted access to someone’s life and mind. God knows, and He’ll reveal the answers if we want them badly enough. I really hope this helps someone who has been wondering or confused about this form of attack… just know that God has given us the authority to tell such spirits to leave, but only by the name of his Son Jesus Christ, who died so that we might be set free from our sins and anything else that could invite this evil crap.
Well, alot of people say the demons go after religious people to say haha to god, but I have had 4 experiences with something like that, mind you I never heard of a incubus until now and the 3 experiences happened 2 years ago. I thought I was loony and heck I was scared to the point I was crying. I’m not religious but have nothing against it. I have friends from all different religious backgrounds and I listen to their stories. If it’s real why did it attack me? If it’s not should I be seeing a doctor? If you want the stories just tell me I’ll write it out.
I attend an African church and Africans know vastly more about the demonic realm because of their exposure to greater levels of witchcraft, voodoo, satanism and other cults. I’ve had those kinds of attacks, beginning in my early life. They have intensified with me because I’ve been gaining more understanding of the demonic realm and how to deal with them in prayer. I live a clean life so I haven’t understood what the entryway has been to attack me. My spiritual mentor told me they attack because their nature is to be an intruder. I’ve had attacks where I would be paralyzed and wouldn’t be unable to get free right away. One night I was under such an attack and I felt an angel literally pull me out of the grip of the demonic power. I felt a jerking in the spirit and I was free. My Pastor calls these dream attacks. In order to avoid them, I would keep your homes clean spiritually. Don’t watch filthy things on tv that offend God. Anything we’re involved in that is spirituall unclean is an open door for a demon. Don’t sleep around, especially with people you don’t know, who may be involved in things you don’t know about. Live a life that doesn’t invite this kind of attack. I feel that if a person has these attacks in a severe way, the first thing you need to do is pray over your home. If you don’t know how, get someone that does. You do not know what has taken place in that home, that may attract evil spirits. It’s always good to pray over a new place you have moved into. Here is how I pray over my place. I take anointing oil. You can even use cooking oil. It doesn’t have to be blessed. Take the oil and put a little on your finger. Apply it to all doors and windows (on the inside). Command everything in that home that is impure to leave. Open a door or window slightly so it can exit. Then ask God to keep your place safe and send angels to watch over you. That is a prayer you should pray daily.
Secondly, if we suspect that there are patterns in our life that are unhealthy, it’s good to have a minster (who knows how) to pray a cleansing over your family and bloodline. There can be all sorts of things that our ancestors have been involved in that are evil. Those sins are passed down to us through our bloodline. It’s what the Bible calls Generational curses. There are some sins that are especially grievious to God. They are called abominations and they bring a curse. Those are sins like murder, rape, and especially heinous acts. If a good person seems to attract evil, or you see a pattern in your life or family, such as repeated accidents or noone in the family can stay married or there are certain tendencies, you can guess there is probably a curse at the root of the problem. These are open doors in the spiritual realm that allow demonic spirits to attack. I hope something here is helpful.
I am reposting because I forgot to check off followup coments via email. Thanks!
I have had a situation like this happen to me once. I am 15 years old and I’m madly confused if this was a demon attack or an actual incubus attack. I remember seeing shadows run across my window a few times, way to quick to be a person. The first experience happened tuesday night, I was extremely tired and remember drifting off to sleep as soon as I closed my eyes. I remember feeling this immense weight on me (as if I was being held down) and a tingly-like feeling coming from the back of my neck to my spine. I woke up but my eyes wouldn’t open, as hard as I tried. I tried to move but my body was numb and I felt helpless. I tried to scream for my mom but all I could feel was my throat burning… I could hear myself mumble. I felt breathing on the back of my neck and in my ear. All I could do was say Gods name in my head over and over. I tried to fight whatever it was but I was helpless. As I tried to open my eyes as hard as I could I felt myself being being sucked into my bed and my eyes would roll to the back of my head. Everything became impossible at this point. It happened about 3 times until I realized I wasn’t dreaming for sure. The first time I was able to fight it off in the same night, I stood up in my bed for a second or so and remember being pinned down again and my eyes rolling to the back of my head. I study the bible and I’m clueless to why this happened to me. I’m just hoping and praying that this never re occurs.
Two night ago I fell asleep. I awoke in the morning a few minutes before my alarm was set to go off. I was laying on my right side, with my head on my pillow. I didn’t feel any sense of dread and I didn’t try to move. I was just like “oh, hey, i’m awake and my alarm didn’t go off yet” and I was too lazy to roll over and look at the clock.
Then suddenly just a few seconds later, I heard an angry male human-sounding voice in my ear say in the most malevolent tone I’ve ever heard “I’m going to get inside your head and fucking destroy you from the inside out. You $%#%! You @$%#@$! I am going to kill you! Kill you! You asked for this. You are mine. You $#@#$! I hate you and I am going to ruin you!”
This barrage of horribly malicious words were spoken into my right ear with a very clear, but horrible voice. I tried to say something, but I couldn’t speak. Then I realized that I couldn’t move. The attack went on for about thirty seconds, I tried to yell “Shut the F— up!” but my mouth wouldn’t move and no sound came out. So, in my head I yelled “Shut the fuck up!” and the voice sounded surprised and went silent for about five seconds. Then I heard whispers or it talking to another low voice. Then I heard silence.
I rolled over and got up. The whole thing probably lasted about 45 seconds or so.
These attacks are based on lies from the kingdom of hell. The enemy comes to rob, kill and destroy and wants nothing more than for people to be tormented.
The first avenue I recommend is to examine your life. In many cases that I have seen over the years, these attacks are based on an open door on behalf of the victim. An open door is an act, which is typically sin. Through an open door of sin, whether sin committed by us, or someone else, that sin permits a door to the kingdom of hell to be opened. At that point, the enemy and his demons, have legal right to enter and torment you.
Some examples of an open door of sin are sexual sin, being molested as a child, drug alcohol abuse, and many other forms. I listed these three because the open door most often times comes from an act as a child or teenager. Satan picks those times because that is when we are most vulnerable, and quite frankly, an awful lot of people are not told to stand in the gap for their children or to pray over them.
As I stated above, the open door can be variant. I have even seen demonic attacks tied to specific items such as articles of clothing, shrines, alters, etc;. Ask the Lord to guide you and show you any sin of which you are unrepentant. Whether it be un-forgiveness, bitterness, rebellion, anger, begin to repent with a sincere heart and ask the Lord to forgive you of those things.
Ask the Lord to begin to create in you a clean and pure heart. Remember no one is perfect and we all stumble and fall… However with the Lords guidance you can overcome the attacks and the fiery darts of the enemy.
If you would like to know more, please feel free to email me.
I too suffered from years of torment and God has FAITHFULLY showed me how to be more than an overcomer through Christ Jesus!!! It feels great to be free!
I’ve been having sleep paralysis attacks once or more a month (depending on my stress levels) since I was 8 years old, so for 16 years. I typically hallucinate that a large man is in the room and attacks me, though sometimes I hallucinate that I have gotten out of bed and walk through the house, the only difference being that everything is dark and has a red hue to it.
Do I think this is a spiritual thing? No. It is merely a waking dream, just because I wasn’t raised religious at all doesn’t mean I didn’t read stories or watch movies with monsters in them. I don’t believe in the spiritual, or any god or gods. I do live my life righteously and with higher morals then most Christians I know so it if anyone says its because I am mired in sin that I get these so called “visitations” know that not all agnostic atheists live their lives without morals. (in fact most that I know are kind and generous people)
Is it terrifying when it happens? Yes, but I know how to pull myself out of it (focusing on wiggling a finger, then sitting up and waking myself completely or I fall back into it.) It’s all easily explained by science and an active imagination.
It’s true, a lot of Christians wander off the farm so to speak, and get self-righteous in their thinking..it happens, but one quote I’ve heard before that I like a lot is: Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven”. We’re all sinners, regardless of our beliefs (or lack thereof). What’s important to remember is that Christianity isn’t a “religion”, but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s there for you receive, but the Holy Spirit is a gentlemen and never goes where he’s not invited, unlike whatever entity is attacking you in your dreams. What I like to share with atheist and agnostic friends of mine is that the Christian God is the only “god” that can be found that says, “Prove me”. He invites us to test Him, to say, “if you are who you claim to be, Jesus, I want to know, show me.” Pretty cool. Anyway, I don’t mean to preach to you, I just sensed an undertone of frustration in your writing, but don’t try and judge who God is from people- ever. The greatest victory the devil ever had was getting you to believe he does not exist. It is evil that’s behind your dreams, and you mentioned they frighten you, but guess what?! 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of FEAR; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. You don’t have to accept it. You’re created by God in His image, and He wants to show you how limitless His love for you is…you cannot earn it, either; Jesus covered for us all by the cross.
also happened to me
I’ve had a few “incubus” dreams. I had no clue that there was a word for it until now. I agree, it does feel real, but almost in the same way that a lucid dream feels real. What makes it terrifying is that you are paralyzed and can’t consciously change anything, even if you know that you are dreaming.
In the last one I had (a few nights ago actually) I was grinding my teeth trying to get out of it. I could almost feel the conscious and unconscious parts of my brain straining against each other. The entire time my dog was sleeping peacefully at the foot of my bed. It’s horrifying, it really is, but there is nothing supernatural about it. It is just the worst cross between having a perfectly natural sexual dream and being awake. When you throw in physical and mental paralysis, it morphs into a very realistic and possibly demonic rape dream.
Wow, the same thing happend to me…however I had just gotten out f the hospital for my Bi-polarism being treated….I was so stressed and messed up back then …I could move while it was happening I even went into the living room and looked at my mom/dad and see if they were in there, and they were, I’m not religious to any point….I’m pure athiest..sometimes though this makes me wonder…Is there a hell? Is there such a thing as heaven….They say once your actually attacked by an incubus you could become addicted to it….scary thought no???
Wow, the same thing happend to me…however I had just gotten out f the hospital for my Bi-polarism being treated….I was so stressed and messed up back then …I could move while it was happening I even went into the living room and looked at my mom/dad and see if they were in there, and they were, I’m not religious to any point….I’m pure athiest..sometimes though this makes me wonder…Is there a hell? Is there such a thing as heaven….They say once your actually attacked by an incubus you could become addicted to it….scary thought no???
I also experienced those things. Every afternoon I always sleep, but when Im already awake I cant even speak or move. And sometimes I felt the arousal within me. I am totally terrified. But I cant see any shadows or figure of a man. I just feel paralyzed and can’t speak as well. Can I consider this as an incubus attack?