I've never experienced sleep paralysis, but I've been wanting to ever since around high school after researching hypnosis. I want to know first-hand what it's like to be unable to move my body. Everyone says it's terrifying, and I'm sure it is, but I just want to feel it for myself.

I've come to believe that during sleep paralysis, you're in the same state of consciousness needed for astral projection. Your body is asleep but your mind is awake. Supposedly it's just one more step to actually leave your body and go anywhere you want. Again, I have not yet experienced this myself.