
Glioblastoma Drugs Market 2034: Clinical Trials, EMA, PDMA, FDA Approvals, Medication, Statistics, Revenue, NICE Approvals, Therapies and Companies by DelveInsight
Glioblastoma Companies are Bayer, Chimerix, Aivita Biomedical, Denovo Biopharma, Northwest Therapeutics, VBL Therapeutics, Laminar Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, DNAtrix, Immunomic Therapeutics, Imvax, MimiVax, CNS Pharmaceuticals, Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC), Istari Oncology, SonALAsense, Kintara Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Medicenna Therapeutics, BioMimetix, Eisai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Kazia Therapeutics, Oblato, Genenta Science, Enterome, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, and others.
(Albany, USA) DelveInsight's " Glioblastoma Market Insights, Epidemiology and Market Forecast– 2034" report delivers an in-depth understanding of the Glioblastoma, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Glioblastoma market trends in the United States, the EU-4 (Germany, Spain, Italy, and France), the United Kingdom, and Japan.
The Glioblastoma market report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, the market share of the individual therapies, and the current and forecasted Glioblastoma market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented by seven major markets. The Report also covers current Glioblastoma treatment practice/algorithm, market drivers, market barriers, and unmet medical needs to curate the best opportunities and assesses the underlying potential of the Glioblastoma market.
The pipeline review for the glioblastoma treatment market highlights a dynamic landscape of ongoing clinical trials and emerging therapies aimed at addressing this aggressive brain cancer. Several biopharmaceutical companies are actively developing novel approaches, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and gene-based treatments. The glioblastoma treatment pipeline also features advancements in personalized medicine and biomarker-driven strategies. This evolving pipeline holds promise for improving patient outcomes and expanding therapeutic options in the coming years.
Key Takeaways from the Glioblastoma Market Report
The increase in Glioblastoma Market Size is a direct consequence of the increasing patient population and anticipated launch of emerging therapies in the 7MM.
As per DelveInsight analysis, the Glioblastoma Market is anticipated to witness growth at a considerable CAGR.
The leading Glioblastoma Companies working in the market include Bayer, Chimerix, Aivita Biomedical, Denovo Biopharma, Northwest Therapeutics, VBL Therapeutics, Laminar Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, DNAtrix, Immunomic Therapeutics, Imvax, MimiVax, CNS Pharmaceuticals, Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC), Istari Oncology, SonALAsense, Kintara Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Medicenna Therapeutics, BioMimetix, Eisai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Kazia Therapeutics, Oblato, Genenta Science, Enterome, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Forma Therapeutics, VBI Vaccines, and TME Pharma, and others.
Promising Glioblastoma Pipeline Therapies in the various stages of development include ITI-1000 (pp65 DC Vaccine), VBI-1901, Selinexor (KPT-330), Trans Sodium Crocetinate, Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), Temodar/Temodal, Avastin, Azeliragon, PLX3397, Temozolomide, VXM01, Avelumab, and others.
In May 2025, CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced a study that is an open-label, multicenter, randomized, parallel, 2-arm, efficacy and safety study. Patients with GBM after failure of standard first line therapy will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive berubicin or lomustine for the evaluation of OS. Additional endpoints will include response and progression outcomes evaluated by a blinded central reviewer for each patient according to RANO criteria.
In May 2025, In8bio Inc . Conducted a Phase 1b/2 study is being conducted to determine if the experimental cell therapy is safe, tolerable and can delay the return of cancer in patients with a newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in combination with standard chemotherapy treatment temozolomide (TMZ). If there is a 25% or greater improvement in survival in this study then the therapy should be studied further.
In April 2025, Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: DRTS, DRTSW), the developer of the innovative alpha-radiation cancer therapy Alpha DaRT®, announced today that the FDA has approved an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application to initiate a pilot study for the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) using the Alpha DaRT technology.
In December 2024, Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA), an oncology-focused drug development company, today provided a regulatory update on paxalisib for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) following its Type C clinical meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On October 15, 2024, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to LP-184, a small-molecule alkylating agent developed by Lantern Pharma for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). LP-184 induces tumor cell death through DNA damage and is currently in a Phase 1a trial assessing its safety and tolerability in patients with various solid tumors, including GBM. The Fast Track status aims to accelerate the development and review of LP-184, particularly given the limited treatment options for aggressive brain cancers like GBM.
April 2024:- Boston Scientific Corporation- FRONTIER: A Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Safety of the TheRaSphere GliOblastoma (GBM) Device iN PaTIEnts With Recurrent GBM. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer with a grave prognosis, resulting in <7% of patients surviving to five years post-diagnosis. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is currently a mainstay treatment for GBM; however, the dose delivered is limited by side effects. The targeted radiotherapy of the TheraSphere GBM Y-90 Glass Microsphere System (TheraSphere GBM) has promising potential to provide GBM patients with reduced side effects compared to external beam radiotherapy as well as a more effective treatment for this catastrophic disease.
April 2024:- TJ Biopharma Co., Ltd. - A Phase 2, Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TJ107 in Lympopenic Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Who Completed Standard Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). A Phase 2, Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TJ107 in Lympopenic Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Who Completed Standard Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).
Stay ahead in oncology R&D with our latest pipeline review glioblastoma treatment market overview, covering immunotherapies and targeted agents, visit @ Glioblastoma Treatment Market Landscape
Glioblastoma Overview
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Classified as a grade IV astrocytoma by the World Health Organization, it originates from astrocytes, the supportive glial cells in the brain. GBM is characterized by rapid growth, extensive infiltration into surrounding brain tissue, and significant heterogeneity at the cellular and molecular levels.
Patients often present with neurological symptoms such as headaches, seizures, cognitive decline, or focal deficits, depending on the tumor's location. Diagnosis typically involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmation via biopsy or surgical resection, which also serves as an initial treatment step.
Standard treatment includes maximal safe surgical resection, followed by concurrent radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy. Despite aggressive multimodal therapy, GBM remains highly resistant to treatment, with a median survival of 15–18 months. Recurrence is almost inevitable, and treatment options for recurrent disease are limited.
Molecular profiling of GBM, including markers like MGMT promoter methylation and IDH mutation status, guides prognosis and treatment decisions. Emerging therapies, such as tumor-treating fields (TTFs), immunotherapy, and targeted molecular inhibitors, are under investigation. While these advances offer hope, GBM remains a formidable challenge, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapies.
Glioblastoma Epidemiology Insights
The epidemiology section of Glioblastoma offers insights into both historical and current patient populations, as well as forecasted trends across seven major countries. This section aids in understanding the factors behind present and projected trends through analysis of various studies and input from key opinion leaders. Additionally, this portion of the market report provides information on the diagnosed patient pool, trends, and underlying assumptions.
Download the report to understand which factors are driving Glioblastoma Epidemiology trends @ Glioblastoma Epidemiological Insights
Glioblastoma Drugs Market
The Glioblastoma Drugs Market is expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years as more targeted therapies receive regulatory approval and enter clinical practice. Additionally, ongoing research efforts aimed at better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Glioblastoma signaling in Glioblastoma are likely to uncover new therapeutic targets and further expand treatment options for patients.
Glioblastoma Treatment Market Landscape
The Glioblastoma treatment market landscape has witnessed significant advancements over the past years, with targeted therapies playing a crucial role in improving outcomes for patients. Among these targeted therapies, the emergence of Glioblastoma has garnered attention in the medical community, presenting both challenges and opportunities in treatment strategies.
Glioblastoma Market Outlook
The report's outlook on the Glioblastoma market aids in developing a comprehensive understanding of historical, current, and projected trends. This is achieved by examining the influence of existing Glioblastoma therapies, unmet needs, as well as drivers, barriers, and the demand for advanced technology. This section provides detailed insights into the trends of each marketed Glioblastoma drug and late-stage pipeline therapy. It assesses their impact based on various factors such as annual therapy costs, inclusion/exclusion criteria, mechanism of action, compliance rates, market demand, patient population growth, covered patient segments, anticipated launch year, competition with other therapies, brand value, and input from key opinion leaders. The analyzed Glioblastoma market data are presented concisely through relevant tables and graphs to offer a clear overview of the market dynamics.
Glioblastoma Drugs Uptake
The drug chapter of the Glioblastoma report provides a comprehensive analysis of both marketed drugs and late-stage pipeline drugs for this condition. It delves into the details of clinical trials, pharmacological actions, agreements, collaborations, approvals, patents, and advantages, and disadvantages of each drug, as well as the latest news and press releases related to Glioblastoma.
A comprehensive pipeline review glioblastoma treatment market analysis reveals promising investigational drugs and upcoming clinical trial milestones.
Major Glioblastoma Companies
Several Glioblastoma Companies working in the market include Bayer, Chimerix, Aivita Biomedical, Denovo Biopharma, Northwest Therapeutics, VBL Therapeutics, Laminar Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, DNAtrix, Immunomic Therapeutics, Imvax, MimiVax, CNS Pharmaceuticals, Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC), Istari Oncology, SonALAsense, Kintara Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Medicenna Therapeutics, BioMimetix, Eisai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Kazia Therapeutics, Oblato, Genenta Science, Enterome, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Forma Therapeutics, VBI Vaccines, and TME Pharma, and others.
Scope of the Glioblastoma Market Research Report
Coverage- 7MM
Glioblastoma Companies- Bayer, Chimerix, Aivita Biomedical, Denovo Biopharma, Northwest Therapeutics, VBL Therapeutics, Laminar Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, DNAtrix, Immunomic Therapeutics, Imvax, MimiVax, CNS Pharmaceuticals, Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC), Istari Oncology, SonALAsense, Kintara Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Medicenna Therapeutics, BioMimetix, Eisai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Kazia Therapeutics, Oblato, Genenta Science, Enterome, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Forma Therapeutics, VBI Vaccines, and TME Pharma, and others.
Glioblastoma Pipeline Therapies- ITI-1000 (pp65 DC Vaccine), VBI-1901, Selinexor (KPT-330), Trans Sodium Crocetinate, Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), Temodar/Temodal, Avastin, Azeliragon, PLX3397, Temozolomide, VXM01, Avelumab, and others.
Glioblastoma Market Dynamics: Glioblastoma Market Drivers and Barriers
Glioblastoma Market Access and Reimbursement, Unmet Needs and Future Perspectives
Discover more about Glioblastoma Drugs in development @ Glioblastoma Clinical Trials and FDA Approvals
Table of Content
1. Key Insights
2. Report Introduction
3. Glioblastoma Multiforme Market Overview at a Glance
4. Epidemiology and Market Forecast Methodology
5. Executive Summary of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
6. Key Events
7. Glioblastoma SWOT Analysis
8. Disease Background and Overview: Glioblastoma Multiforme
9. Glioblastoma Treatment
10. Guidelines and Recommendations from Different Organizations
11. Glioblastoma Epidemiology and Patient Population
12. Glioblastoma Patient Journey
13. Key Endpoints in Glioblastoma Multiforme
14. Glioblastoma Marketed Products
15. Emerging Glioblastoma Drugs
16. Glioblastoma Market: Seven Major Market Analysis
17. Glioblastoma KOL Views
18. Glioblastoma Unmet Needs
19. Glioblastoma Market Access and Reimbursement
20. Appendix
21. DelveInsight Capabilities
22. Disclaimer
23. About DelveInsight
About Us
DelveInsight is a leading healthcare-focused market research and consulting firm that provides clients with high-quality market intelligence and analysis to support informed business decisions. With a team of experienced industry experts and a deep understanding of the life sciences and healthcare sectors, we offer customized research solutions and insights to clients across the globe. Connect with us to get high-quality, accurate, and real-time intelligence to stay ahead of the growth curve.
Media Contact
Company Name: DelveInsight Business Research LLP
Contact Person: Ankit Nigam
Email: Send Email
Phone: +14699457679
Address: 304 S. Jones Blvd #2432
City: Albany
State: New York
Country: United States
Website: https://www.delveinsight.com/ats-conference-coverage
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Globe and Mail
29 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Could Nebius Group Be a Sleeper Growth Pick?
When it comes to investing in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, some of the most common opportunities reside in software platforms and semiconductors. But one pocket of the AI realm that is steadily starting to gain some traction is infrastructure. Think of it this way: When cloud hyperscalers such as Amazon, Microsoft, or Alphabet each say they are spending tens of billions of dollars on AI capital expenditures (capex), only some of this spend is allocated toward chipsets and network equipment supplied by the likes of Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, or Broadcom. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » In the background, there are companies that are actually building the data centers and graphics processing unit (GPU) clusters in which they reside. This is where Nebius Group (NASDAQ: NBIS) comes into play. Let's explore what Nebius does and how the company is riding the tailwinds of rising AI infrastructure investment. Could Nebius be an under-the-radar opportunity for growth investors right now? What does Nebius do? Nebius operates across four segments. The company's core business is an infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) business -- essentially offering customers the ability to access high-performance compute architecture via the cloud. In addition, Nebius has three subsidiaries: Avride, Toloka, and TripleTen. Avride is an emerging force in the autonomous vehicle industry, and recently struck a partnership with global car manufacturer Hyundai. Toloka serves as a data partner for large language models (LLMs) and AI developers including Anthropic, Microsoft, and Shopify. TripleTen is a software platform marketed toward the education industry, which is another budding area where AI could lead to some transformative changes. AI infrastructure is booming While Nebius is a diversified business and positioned to benefit from AI in many different ways, most investors tend to focus on the company's infrastructure segment. The company works closely with Nvidia, allowing its customers to access a series of different GPU architectures. At the end of the first quarter, Nebius' IaaS business was operating at a $249 million annual recurring revenue (ARR) run rate. While this might not seem like much at first, consider this: Management is guiding toward an ARR run rate between $750 million and $1 billion by year-end, as well as positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). How is Nebius going to increase its core infrastructure segment by nearly fourfold over the next six months? For starters, the company's data center footprint is expanding rapidly. In addition to existing projects in France and Finland, the company is also building out new infrastructure in Iceland, Kansas City, and New Jersey. Moreover, these new data centers will be equipped with the most in-demand GPUs on the market -- of course, I'm talking about Nvidia Blackwell, Grace Blackwell, and Blackwell Ultra architectures. When you consider that major hyperscalers are on pace to spend more than $300 billion on AI capex just this year, coupled with industry forecasts calling for $6.7 trillion of infrastructure spend by next decade, Nebius appears to have strong secular tailwinds fueling its long-run growth narrative. Is Nebius stock a good buy right now? When it comes to investing in Nebius, valuation is a little bit challenging, given the company's corporate history. Toward the end of 2024, Nebius was actually spun out of a Russian internet conglomerate called Yandex. As part of the deal structure, Nebius become an independent entity and listed on the Nasdaq exchange. Given the limited financial picture available to investors, I don't find traditional valuation metrics such as price-to-sales (P/S) or other ratios entirely helpful when looking at Nebius. Rather, I'd like to look at the company relative to some peers. NBIS Market Cap data by YCharts One of the closest comparable public companies to Nebius is AI cloud infrastructure provider CoreWeave, which went public earlier this year. As the graph makes clear, not only does CoreWeave boast a much larger market capitalization than Nebius, but its value is actually expanding. Granted, there are reasons for this. CoreWeave is a much larger company than Nebius on the sales front, and the company continues to strike lucrative partnerships with AI's biggest developers. But even so, it's hard to deny CoreWeave's valuation momentum right now compared to the mundane price action in Nebius. To me, Nebius is flying under the radar -- completely overshadowed by CoreWeave's popularity. I see robust growth ahead for Nebius both in the short and long run, and I think the company's relationships with Nvidia and others in the AI landscape could lead to larger, more strategic deals over time. For these reasons, I would encourage investors looking for new growth opportunities in the AI space to consider a position in the infrastructure services pocket -- and particularly in Nebius. Should you invest $1,000 in Nebius Group right now? Before you buy stock in Nebius Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nebius Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $669,517!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $868,615!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is792% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to173%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Shopify. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Nebius Group, Nvidia, and Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


Globe and Mail
44 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Should You Invest in Quantum Computing Stocks During the TACO Trade?
It's been a hard year for investors so far. As of market close on June 5, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes each have breakeven returns on the year. While this makes it incredibly difficult to make money in the stock market, there have been some pockets during which investors made out well if they chose to engage with higher-than-usual volatility. By now, you may have come across a new acronym floating around financial circles called the "TACO" trade. Below, I'll detail what this means and why it's important. From there, I'll dig into one of the new, hot areas fueling the artificial intelligence (AI) narrative: quantum computing. Could quantum computing stocks be a good way to play the TACO trade? Read on to find out. What is the TACO trade? Even though the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are both flat on the year, the image below illustrates that there have been some pronounced dips and sharp rises across both indexes throughout 2025. The catch is that these volatile movements have been incredibly fleeting. ^SPX data by YCharts The term "TACO trade" is a cheeky acronym that stands for "Trump always chickens out." Basically, whenever the President voiced some tough rhetoric on his new tariff policies, the markets plummeted. However, when he subsequently eases some of the pressure on the tariff talking points, the markets roar again. In summary, the TACO trade is simply a new version of buying the dip when stock prices become abnormally depressed. Are quantum computing stocks a good buy right now? Two of the most popular quantum computing stocks in the market right now are IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) and Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI). During 2024, shares of IonQ soared by 237% while Rigetti stock climbed by a jaw-dropping 1,450% -- both of which completely dominated the broader market. This year has been a different story, though. As of closing bell on June 5, shares of IonQ and Rigetti Computing have plummeted by 12% and 28%, respectively. Given these declines, is now a good opportunity to buy quantum computing stocks? To answer that question, smart investors understand that valuation needs to be a consideration. Per the chart below, Rigetti Computing and IonQ boast price-to-sales (P/S) ratios that seem incongruent with the company's underlying fundamentals. RGTI PS Ratio data by YCharts Looked at another way, IonQ and Rigetti Computing have generated a combined revenue of roughly $50 million over the last 12 months -- all while posting a net loss of $460 million between the two businesses. Given the nominal sales figures and hemorrhaging losses, it's hard to justify the valuation multiples pictured above. While Rigetti and IonQ have each been on a monster run from a share price perspective, both of these companies appear to be riding high on a bullish quantum computing narrative. In other words, their trading levels are not rooted in the actual performance of the business but rather in a broader macro viewpoint that quantum computing could be a good opportunity in the long run. Keep the big picture in focus The big takeaway here is that even though shares of IonQ and Rigetti are down on the year, their respective valuations make it clear that neither of these companies is a good "buy the dip" candidate. Rather, even with their underperformance throughout the year, each stock remains overvalued. For these reasons, I would not chase any sell-offs in these quantum computing stocks as the TACO trade continues to evolve. My suspicion is that both IonQ and Rigetti will experience some continued valuation compression, and their share prices could very well keep spiraling downward. Should you invest $1,000 in IonQ right now? Before you buy stock in IonQ, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and IonQ wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $669,517!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $868,615!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is792% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to173%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025

CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
The science of sleep paralysis, a brain-body glitch making people see demons and witches
Many people who experience sleep paralysis see frightening hallucinations some call "sleep paralysis demons." Illustration by Leah Abucayan/Alberto Mier/CNN via CNN Newsource Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified, experiencing his own real-life horror film. Newly awake, the 19-year-old could see his surroundings but couldn't move or speak, and he didn't know why. He thought, ''My God, what do I do?'' Jalal, now 39, said of that moment in 2005. 'I tried to call my mom (and) dad, but no words would emerge from my throat. … I had this ominous presence of a monster, and it lifted my legs up and down. 'It strangled me, trying to kill me. And I was 100% sure that I was going to die,' Jalal added. 'It literally feels like all the evil of the universe is condensed into a bubble, and it's in your bedroom.' This type of hallucination is a hallmark for many people with sleep paralysis. It occurs during transitions into or out of rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep, similar to a traffic jam at a busy intersection — your brain, awake and alert, and body, still asleep and immobilized, collide momentarily, said Dr. Matthew P. Walker, director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley, via email. Following deep sleep, REM sleep is the next critical phase of sleep cycles, characterized by more dreaming that's also extra vivid and lifelike, and by faster heart rate and breathing. It's essential for memory, concentration, mood regulation and immune function. Jalal's experiences propelled him to study this phenomenon around the world. He aimed to discover the cause of sleep paralysis, he said, and why some people with the diagnosis 'have these powerful encounters where it feels like evil of epic proportions.' He has since earned a doctorate in psychiatry and is now a researcher in Harvard University's psychology department and a leading expert on sleep paralysis. He also treats patients struggling with it. An estimated 30% of people worldwide experience at least one episode of sleep paralysis in their lifetime, according to the Cleveland Clinic. How many of those people have recurring and impairing sleep paralysis isn't clear, but the percentage is likely low, Jalal said. Here's what else you should know about sleep paralysis and how it can be managed. The science and symptoms of sleep paralysis In REM sleep, our bodies are paralyzed so we don't act out our dreams and risk hurting ourselves or others, Jalal said. Sleep paralysis episodes are usually only a few minutes long but can last up to 20 minutes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. During sleep paralysis, however, 'we regain consciousness before the muscles regain their freedom from REM-induced paralysis,' said Walker, who is also a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley About 40% of people with sleep paralysis have visual, auditory or tactile hallucinations, such as pressure on one's chest or feeling out of body, Jalal said. For about 90% of those individuals, the illusions are terrifying. They can include ghosts or cat- or alien-like creatures, and their actions can be as innocuous as simply approaching them or as nefarious as molesting or trying to kill them. In Jalal's academic travels, he discovered the contents and interpretations of hallucinations, views on what causes sleep paralysis, and episode frequency and duration can all also have a cultural basis. People living in Egypt and Italy, for example, would often see witches and evil genies, hold them responsible and think they could die from sleep paralysis, Jalal said. People in Denmark, Poland and parts of the United States, on the other hand, have less supernatural or exotic explanations and less fear. 'Why do we see these monsters? Is it the dreaming imagery … that's spilling over into conscious awareness?' Jalal said. 'My answer to that is, according to my research, no, not exactly. But it's part of it.' When you're aware yet paralyzed and confused, your natural reaction is to escape that situation. Your brain is bombarding your body with signals to move, but your body can't return any feedback. Jalal's theory, in short, is that your brain says, 'to hell with it' and concocts a story it thinks your body must be facing to be experiencing such bizarre symptoms. The reduced activity in your prefrontal cortex — responsible for reason and logic — also contributes to hallucinations becoming 'extremely realistic and emotionally charged, amplified by an overly active amygdala, the brain's emotional alarm center,' Walker said. Causes and risk factors of sleep paralysis Though scientists know that wake-sleep glitch is what's happening during a sleep paralysis episode, they're not entirely sure why. But there are several factors that can increase the risk of fragmented sleep and sleep paralysis. Those factors include stress and related conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder and panic disorder, experts said. Much of Jalal's sleep paralysis occurred when he was in school. Now when he has an episode once or twice per year, it's usually during a high-stress period, he said. (Once you've experienced sleep paralysis, you can be conscious of that during an episode but still feel afraid.) Other common contributors are sleep deprivation, jet lag, an irregular sleep schedule, sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, and genetic factors, Walker and Jalal said. Obstructive sleep apnea, substance use disorder and some medications — such as those for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — can also raise risk, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Is sleep paralysis dangerous? As scary as sleep paralysis may sound, it's not actually dangerous, experts said. But depending on how recurring it is, sleep paralysis can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder, Jalal said. Regular episodes can also lead to anxiety around sleep and then avoidance of sleep, Jalal said. This pattern can interfere with your daily energy and ability to function. And if you often have frightening hallucinations, that can lead to anxiety or trauma-like symptoms. How is sleep paralysis treated? Sleep paralysis can be significantly alleviated with several practices or treatments, Walker said — starting with healthy sleep habits, for one. That includes seven to nine hours of restful sleep nightly. Maintaining a sleep schedule consistent in quality and quantity 'acts like tuning your internal clock, reducing the chance of disruptive wake-sleep overlaps — much like ensuring all parts of an orchestra are synchronized for perfect harmony,' Walker said. Also prioritize stress management, by using, for example, mindfulness and relaxation exercises, Walker said. Therapies can relieve certain underlying issues triggering sleep paralysis, including cognitive behavioural therapy, especially the version for people with insomnia. In more serious situations, medications are sometimes used, Walker said. Those include SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or tricyclic antidepressants that can help manage a smooth flow between sleep stages or even reduce the REM phase of sleep. Generally, boosting the brain's serotonin levels somehow compensates for the loss of the REM phase, Jalal said. But rarely, long-term antidepressant use has been linked with REM sleep behaviour disorder. While the aforementioned treatments can help reduce the frequency or length of sleep paralysis episodes, there isn't yet a gold-standard treatment that can stop an episode once it's happening. Jalal has been trying to officially create one over the past decade, though, and it's self-inspired. Called meditation relaxation therapy, the treatment reduced sleep paralysis by 50% after eight weeks for six people with narcolepsy, compared with a control group of four participants, found a small pilot study Jalal published in 2020. He currently has another study of the same treatment with more participants underway at Harvard. And the steps of Jalal's therapy are as follows: Cognitively reappraise the meaning of the attack. Close your eyes and remind yourself that your experience is common and you won't die from it. Emotionally distance yourself from it. Tell yourself that since your brain is just playing tricks on you, there's no reason for you to be scared or risk the situation getting worse because of your own negative expectations. Focus on something positive. Whether it's praying or imagining a loved one's face, this refocusing can make thoughts more pleasant rather than monstrous. Relax your muscles and don't move. Some experts say trying to slightly move your fingers or toes one by one may help you come out of an episode sooner. But Jalal's fourth step advises against this movement since you'd still be sending signals to paralyzed muscles and maybe triggering hallucinations. Viewing your own biology in a more objective way by learning more about the scientific basis of sleep paralysis is also helpful, Jalal said.