A state of consciousness experienced either while waking up or while falling asleep, characterized by feeling unable to move for several seconds or minutes. The individual who experiences this state is fully aware of the condition and has complete recall of the episode. Vivid and terrifying hallucinations often accompany this state of consciousness, and a sense of acute danger may be felt. Once the episode of paralysis passes, the individual often sits up with a start and experiences symptoms of anxiety (e.g., tachycardia, hyperventilation, fear) only to realize that the perceptions of danger were false. In the african american community, this state of consciousness is also sometimes known as the witch is riding you or the haint has you. This phenomenon is called kanashibari in japan and ghost oppression in china.