Here’s a question I get a lot about the swallow reflex:

Hi, I have one burning question that I would appreciate an answer to.

I realize that it is important to not move at all when inducing sleep paralysis.

Is it ok to swallow though?

I find the main problem I have is that mucus and saliva builds up at the back of my throat, and I have to swallow it.

Is this ok, or is this preventing me from inducing SP?”

My reply:

It depends on how deep in sleep paralysis you are:

1.) If you’re right on the edge and you’re trying to complete paralysis then swallowing will mess it up.

2.) If you’re already deep in paralysis it won’t make much difference.

3.) If you’re several minutes away from paralysis then it won’t make a giant difference but it will make some.

THE SOLUTION

The solution is your body position. Sleeping flat on your back makes the swallow reflex happen. This is one of the reasons why stop drop and roll ends with you sleeping on your side.

I actually sleep with the head of my bed propped up on cinder blocks so that my head is a bit above my feet. I do that because it helps with acid reflux at night but it also probably helps with the swallow reflex.

If you were to sleep sitting upright in a sofa then you would have almost no swallow reflex.