American folk magic, also known as American folk magic or American traditional witchcraft, refers to the practice of magic and witchcraft that has evolved within the United States. This form of magic blends various folk beliefs and practices from different cultures, including African, Native American, European, and Latin American traditions. American folk magic is deeply rooted in the history and cultural heritage of the United States. It has been influenced by the practices brought by African slaves, who incorporated their beliefs and rituals into the magical traditions of the New World. Native American practices, such as the use of herbs for healing and connecting with nature, are also integral to American folk magic. The practice of American folk magic is diverse, with practitioners often incorporating their own personal beliefs, rituals, and spells.
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This vicious cycle which I call the panic-hallucination model continues to feed into itself until sleep paralysis becomes chronic, prolonged and, worse yet, potentially psychopathological. In Italy, some interpret sleep paralysis as an assault by the so-called Pandafeche, a figure described as a malevolent witch or terrifying giant cat.
The practice of American folk magic is diverse, with practitioners often incorporating their own personal beliefs, rituals, and spells. It typically involves a combination of spellcasting, divination, and herbal remedies. The spells used in American folk magic can range from simple chants and prayers to more elaborate rituals involving candles, charms, and talismans.
Sleep Paralysis and the Monsters Inside Your Mind
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to an unearthly figure with blood dripping down its fangs. You try to scream, but you can’t. You can’t move a single muscle! If this sounds familiar, you’ve probably experienced an episode of sleep paralysis, which involves the inability to move or speak upon falling asleep or awakening and is often coupled with hallucinations. About one in five people have had sleep paralysis at least once. But despite its prevalence, it has largely remained a mystery. For centuries, cultures across the world have attributed these hallucinations to black magic, mythical monsters, even paranormal activity. Scientists have since dismissed such explanations, yet these cultural beliefs persist. In fact, my and my colleagues’ research, conducted over roughly a decade in six different countries, suggests that beliefs about sleep paralysis can dramatically shape the physical and psychological experience, revealing a striking type of mind-body interaction.
Sleep paralysis is caused by what appears to be a basic brain glitch at the interface between wakefulness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, you have intensely lifelike dreams. To prevent you from acting out these realistic dreams (and hurting yourself!), your brain has a clever solution: it temporarily paralyzes your entire body. Indeed, your brain has a “switch” (a handful of neurochemicals) that tilts you between sleep and wakefulness. Sometimes the “switch” fails, however—your brain inadvertently wakes up while your body is still under the “spell” of REM paralysis, leaving you stuck in a paradoxical state between parallel realities: wakefulness and REM sleep. During sleep paralysis, the crisp dreams of REM “spill over” into waking consciousness like a dream coming alive before your eyes—fanged figures and all.
These hallucinations—often involving seeing and sensing ghostly bedroom intruders—are interpreted differently around the world. In Egypt, sleep paralysis is often thought to be caused by a jinn (“genie”)—a supernatural creature that terrorizes and sometimes kills its victims. In Italy, some interpret sleep paralysis as an assault by the so-called Pandafeche, a figure described as a malevolent witch or terrifying giant cat. In South Africa, Indigenous people believe the state to be caused by segatelelo (black magic), involving menacing dwarflike creatures called tokoloshe, and in Turkey, it is the karabasan—mysterious spirit-like creatures. In contrast, the Danes offer a less imaginative explanation: they largely attribute sleep paralysis to physiological risk factors such as stress.
These explanations—scientific and sensationalist—can have a profound impact on how people experience sleep paralysis. When directly comparing the phenomenon in Egypt and Denmark, we found that Egyptians fear it much more than Danes do. In fact, more than 50 percent of Egyptians who experienced the condition were convinced that sleep paralysis was deadly. Egyptians also believed that the episodes lasted longer—and remarkably, they occurred three times more often for this group. Beliefs about sleep paralysis among Egyptians appeared to have dramatically shaped their experience. Those who attributed it to supernatural forces suffered greater fear of the experience and longer paralysis. A pattern was revealing itself. Paired with particular beliefs, sleep paralysis had gone from a simple “brain glitch” to a chronic, prolonged and potentially fatal supernatural event.
The question was whether the results could be replicated. Italians also have striking cultural beliefs about the origin of sleep paralysis. More than a third of those from the Abruzzo region thought their sleep paralysis might be caused by the Pandafeche creature. Like Egyptians, Italians also experienced sleep paralysis more frequently, with prolonged paralysis and excessive fear of the experience. In both groups, beliefs about the disorder heightened symptoms in a bizarre mind-body interaction with “nocebolike” effects. An active imagination had the astonishing ability to shape physiological experiences.
Based on these findings, it appears that the more people fear sleep paralysis, the more they experience it, and the stronger its effects are. What were once thought to be benign, even inventive, beliefs have transformed the disorder, triggering conditioned fear and coloring the content of hallucinations. Anxiety and stress predispose people to an attack, so those who dread it are often more likely to experience it. Indeed, sleep paralysis is nearly twice as common in Egypt, compared with Denmark. And as discovered in Italy, those who believe their sleep paralysis may have a supernatural cause are also more likely to hallucinate during the attack—including experiencing a ghostly “sensed presence.” Once sleep paralysis occurs, it is subsequently interpreted through the lens of fear, leading to more anxiety and unwanted awakenings—and effectively, more sleep paralysis. This vicious cycle—which I call the “panic-hallucination model”—continues to feed into itself until sleep paralysis becomes chronic, prolonged and, worse yet, potentially psychopathological.
Our new findings raise the intriguing possibility that sleep paralysis, if accompanied by certain beliefs, is not just frightening but may also be potentially traumatizing. The effects can linger long after an episode ends. Notably, in one study in Egypt, we found that people who have experienced the phenomenon have elevated trauma and anxiety symptoms, relative to those who have never experienced it. Those with visual hallucinations—seeing “demonic beings,” say—are even more at risk. In another study in Abruzzo, I and my colleagues recently showed that fear during sleep paralysis, and fear of dying from the attack, was linked to trauma and depression symptoms. These findings indicate that when it is understood through a particular cultural filter, the disorder can cause psychopathology.
For those suffering from sleep paralysis, sleep is not an escape from reality. Indeed, for some, “sleeping” can potentially lead to a mental disorder. The human mind is vastly more mysterious, and occasionally malevolent, than one would have thought.
Are you a scientist who specializes in neuroscience, cognitive science, or psychology? And have you read a recent peer-reviewed paper that you would like to write about? Please send suggestions to Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook. Gareth, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, is the series editor of Best American Infographics and can be reached at garethideas AT gmail.com or Twitter @garethideas.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Baland Jalal is a researcher at Harvard University's department of psychology and a visiting researcher at the department of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, where he earned his Ph.D. You can follow his work on YouTube and Instagram Follow Baland Jalal on Twitter
Recent Articles by Baland Jalal
- A New Way to Understand--and Possibly Treat--OCD
Sleep paralysis is caused by what appears to be a basic brain glitch at the interface between wakefulness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, you have intensely lifelike dreams. To prevent you from acting out these realistic dreams (and hurting yourself!), your brain has a clever solution: it temporarily paralyzes your entire body. Indeed, your brain has a “switch” (a handful of neurochemicals) that tilts you between sleep and wakefulness. Sometimes the “switch” fails, however—your brain inadvertently wakes up while your body is still under the “spell” of REM paralysis, leaving you stuck in a paradoxical state between parallel realities: wakefulness and REM sleep. During sleep paralysis, the crisp dreams of REM “spill over” into waking consciousness like a dream coming alive before your eyes—fanged figures and all.
One of the key features of American folk magic is its emphasis on practical magic and everyday spirituality. Many practitioners use magic to address practical concerns such as health, prosperity, and protection. Spells and rituals are often performed in the home, utilizing common household items and ingredients like candles, herbs, and stones. The practice of American folk magic is deeply ingrained in American culture and has been passed down through generations. It is often practiced in secret or within close-knit communities, and practitioners may have their own unique family traditions and rituals. While American folk magic has historically been associated with rural areas and the working class, it has gained popularity in recent years among a wider audience. American folk magic holds an important place in the rich tapestry of magical traditions around the world. It is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of magical practices, as it has evolved and adapted to the unique cultural and historical context of the United States. Whether practiced for healing, protection, or spiritual guidance, American folk magic continues to offer a connection to the mystical and the unknown, providing solace and empowerment to those who practice it..
Reviews for "Protest Songs of the Vietnam War Era: The Voices of American Folk Musicians"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I don't understand the hype around American Folk Magic. I found it to be slow-paced and boring. The story didn't captivate me, and the characters were dull and unrelatable. The film also lacked a clear direction, with many scenes feeling unnecessary and out of place. Overall, I was disappointed with American Folk Magic and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 2/5 - American Folk Magic fell flat for me. The storyline was predictable, and I felt like I had seen it all before. The characters were undeveloped, and I didn't feel a connection with any of them. The pacing was also off, with the film dragging at certain points. I had high hopes for American Folk Magic, but it just didn't deliver.
3. Sarah - 3/5 - While American Folk Magic had its moments, I wasn't completely satisfied with the film. The plot had potential, but it lacked depth and complexity. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their motives were often unclear. The musical aspect of the film was enjoyable, but it wasn't enough to save it for me. Overall, American Folk Magic was an average film that didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Michael - 2/5 - American Folk Magic was a disappointment for me. The storyline was messy and disjointed, making it hard to follow. The film tried to incorporate too many themes without fully exploring any of them. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest throughout. While the performances were decent, they couldn't make up for the lackluster writing and direction. I wouldn't recommend American Folk Magic to others.