Can alien abductions be explained scientifically as a product of sleep paralysis, false memory, dreams, or simply an overactive imagination? The abductees claim to have been roused from sleep and transported to an alien spaceship. The description of which usually begins with what seems like an episode of sleep paralysis. Up to 60% of people have experienced sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis occurs just before falling asleep or while waking up (Spanos, Cross & DuBreuil, 1993). The brain and body temporarily desynchronize when awakening from REM sleep. This causes the body to remain paralyzed during REM sleep and allows the mind to be fully aware of its surroundings. Technically this experience cannot be classified as either awake or asleep. A small percentage of people who experience sleep paralysis do so in conjunction with terrifying hallucinations (Perina, 2003). These hallucinations vary, for example; people often experience tingling sensations, weightlessness, hear buzzing sounds, and see flashing lights and figures around their bed. This rarely lasts long, no more than a few minutes, after which the hallucinations and paralysis end. The individual who believes that something occurred during sleep may consult a hypnotherapist to gain an understanding of the experience (Clancy, McNally, Schacter, Lenzenweger, and Pitman 2002). Memories of abductions may surface during hypnotic regression. They can be so terrifying that those who experience them may believe they are suffering from a serious neurological problem. Rather than accept the prospect of madness, they believe that aliens abducted them, as it seems less outlandish (Perina, 2003). Some believe trauma can lead to amnesia, blocking memories that are...... middle of paper ...torn images in people who report abductions by space aliens. Psychological Science (Wiley-Blackwell), 15(7), 493-497. doi:10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00707.xOtgaar, H., Candel, I., Merckelbach, H., & Wade, K. (2008). Abducted by a UFO: Prevalence information influences young children's false memories for an implausible event. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 23, 115-125. doi: 10.1002/acp.1445Perina, K., (2003). Cracking the Harvard x-files. Psychology Today, 36(2), 66.Spanos, N. P., Cross, P. A., Dickson, K., & DuBreuil, S. C. (1993). Close Encounters: An Examination of UFO Experiences. The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 102(4), 624-632. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.102.4.624Steffens, M. C., & Mecklenbräuker, S. (2007). False memories: phenomena, theories and implications. Zeitschrift Für Psychologie/Journal of Psychology, 215(1), 12-24. doi:10.1027/0044-3409.215.1.12