Maggie wasn’t entirely sure how she’d survived the day -- she was just glad it was over. College was stressful. A biology major, she’d endured a long week full of intense study sessions, report writing, labs, and classes. Finally, though, at least for today, it was time to unwind. She sat her bag down, got into some comfy clothes, and slid into bed, wrapping herself in the comfort of her blankets. Her desk lamp was on -- a light not bright enough to keep her awake, but just warm enough to provide a comforting atmosphere. The desk chair was facing her. Outside, night began to settle over the town and the symphony of birds gave way to the cricket’s hum. At last it was time to rest. But rest is not what Maggie would experience. Across cultures, religions, belief systems, and locations, sleep paralysis and its accompanying cast of horrific creatures is more common than you might think. In this first episode of the podcast, we'll discuss, from a bird's eye view, the phenomenon of sleep paralysis, how it's interpreted in several cultures, and hypothesize about how much of it is science -- and how much of it is supernatural. We'll also introduce the podcast and talk briefly about what you can expect here. Join me, as we journey through the dark side of dreams.