These feelings can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.
They areunsettlingat the very least, and terrifying at most.
This is because when sleep paralysis happens, the boundary between being awake and being in adreamstate is blurred.

Although you are conscious, it’s possible you may see things that aren’t there.
Even though those hallucinations are not real, they can certainly feel that way.
Under normal circumstances, your body will relax at the same time you drift off to sleep.

Thus, you’re awake, but unable to move or talk.
Sleep paralysis does not only occur upon falling asleep, but also when waking up.
As scary as it may feel at the time, sleep paralysis is generally nothing to worry about.