Old Hag Syndrome
You wake paralyzed. Something sits on your chest. You can't breathe, can't scream. An old woman—or demon—crouches over you. This is sleep paralysis, but the 'hag' appears across every culture in history.
The Old Hag is a sleep paralysis phenomenon reported across cultures for millennia.
The Experience
According to documented accounts, victims experience waking unable to move their bodies, feeling a weight on their chest, having difficulty breathing, sensing a terrifying presence in the room, and often seeing an old woman figure looming over them.
Global Names
The phenomenon is known worldwide under many names including Old Hag in Newfoundland, Mora in Scandinavia, Kanashibari in Japan, Pisadeira in Brazil, and Nightmare in English, which derives from “mare,” the original term for this experience.
The Science
Sleep paralysis is explained by neuroscience as occurring when the brain wakes before the body, causing REM atonia to continue while consciousness returns. Hallucinations emerge from the dream state bleeding into waking consciousness. The terror experienced is neurological in origin, and it’s a very common experience affecting millions worldwide.
The Hag Herself
The figure is often described as an old, ugly woman, though it can also appear as a demon or witch. She is typically seen sitting on the victim’s chest, radiating malevolent intent. The specific appearance varies somewhat culturally, but the core elements remain remarkably consistent.
Historical Understanding
Before modern scientific understanding, people believed this to be an actual supernatural attack by witches or demons. Incubus and succubus legends arose from these experiences. Various countermeasures were employed to ward off these attacks, and the fear people felt was very real and justified by their worldview.
Modern Occurrences
Today, approximately 8% of people experience sleep paralysis at some point in their lives. Many still see figures during these episodes, with cultural expectations helping to shape what form the vision takes. Despite scientific explanation, the experience remains terrifying for those who endure it. This is a medical condition overlaid with centuries of folklore and cultural interpretation.