Transcribed
The Nightmare
Sep 3, 2026 ·
18m 40s
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The Nightmare
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Description
When you wake up in a cold sweat from a bad dream, you call it a nightmare—but have you ever wondered where that word comes from? The answer is far...
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When you wake up in a cold sweat from a bad dream, you call it a nightmare—but have you ever wondered where that word comes from? The answer is far darker than you might imagine. The "mare" in nightmare is not a horse, but a terrifying creature from ancient folklore, an evil spirit or goblin that was believed to suffocate people in their sleep by sitting on their chests. Known as a "mara" or "mare," it was a supernatural predator that preyed on the helpless, a creature with claws and teeth that haunted the night.
In this episode, we trace the history of the word "nightmare" from its ancient origins to its modern meaning. We explore the folklore of the mara, the spirit that would ride your chest while you slept, and the word's journey from a terrifying spirit to the bad dream it describes today. We also examine the science behind sleep paralysis, a state where the mind is awake but the body is frozen, which often includes the feeling of a weight on the chest and a sense of a threatening presence—a phenomenon that may explain the ancient fear. From the ancient world to modern neuroscience, this is a story of a word that carries the weight of centuries of human fear.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/black-lantern--7264324/support.
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In this episode, we trace the history of the word "nightmare" from its ancient origins to its modern meaning. We explore the folklore of the mara, the spirit that would ride your chest while you slept, and the word's journey from a terrifying spirit to the bad dream it describes today. We also examine the science behind sleep paralysis, a state where the mind is awake but the body is frozen, which often includes the feeling of a weight on the chest and a sense of a threatening presence—a phenomenon that may explain the ancient fear. From the ancient world to modern neuroscience, this is a story of a word that carries the weight of centuries of human fear.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/black-lantern--7264324/support.
Information
| Author | Black Lantern |
| Organization | Black Lantern |
| Website | - |
| Tags |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
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