The Truth Behind Succubi and Incubi

Incubus is a popular musical group that has claimed international fame, but despite their band’s name being a form of the title you see here, that’s not the subject of this article. Instead, we’re talking about female and male sex demons also known as incubi and succubi. The singular versions of these titles are probably more recognizable: succubus and incubus. In this article, we will talk much more in depth about what they are, where they come from, and what purpose they serve.

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What is a Succubus or an Incubus?

The mention of these two unique and demonic entities can be found in stories that date back to 5000 B.C.E. A succubus is a female demon whose main function is that of a type of enchantress. She is incredibly attractive and typically seduces men in their dreams. While her male victims are in a dream state, they will often comply with her sexual demands. By doing so, she is able to manifest into the living human world and engage in sexual intercourse with the male. Unfortunately for the man, more often than not, this typically leads to heavy consequences. Men who have been victimized by a succubus will most likely experience a slump in mental and physical health. In some cases, engaging in relations with a succubus can lead to imminent death.

An incubus functions in the exact same way as a succubus, but is a male and preys on women. It is often said that sometimes, a succubi will collect the sperm she acquires from a man and then proceed to shape shift into an incubus, and implant the sperm on unsuspecting women. An incubus is typically reported as being much colder in temperature than his female counterpart. In addition to that, incubus are often noted to be bisexual, rather than being rigorously heterosexual.

Once agreeing to the demon’s advances in their dreams, the men and women that these demons target and prey upon will often begin to notice that their seemingly pleasant and sexual dream will take a much more nightmarish turn. Most people who believe they’ve fallen victim to these entities report feeling a concise heaviness in the chest area within the waking world. These particular beliefs were held onto very tightly by most religious people up until the advances of modern science.

Modern science doesn’t necessarily discredit that some men and women have these types of experiences, but they’re not so quick to accredit it to a demonic male or female entity. Most scientists in the present era believe that these experiences can be attributed to an entire slew of disorders that are very treatable. Sleep paralysis is the main diagnoses of people who report being attacked by a succubus or incubus. Sleep paralysis can induce hallucinations that many feel are real, and the lack of quality within their sleep that is caused by this disorder can induce what may appear to be a deterioration of mental health. Lack of quality sleep can lead to irritability, depression, anxiety, and fits of rage. This is definitely in accordance with the side effects that are listed in ancient texts about succubus and incubus encounters.

All sleep disorders aside, many scientists agree that these so-called encounters can also be the result of enduring a nightmare at the same time as having a nocturnal emission—or, wet dream. Contrary to popular belief, nocturnal emissions are also prevalent among women. Since it’s a bodily function that happens naturally and without provocation and comes without any way to prevent it, this would explain the feeling that one had been taken advantage of during the night by a succubus or incubus. Pair the prior with fervent religious beliefs that were mandated by most governments at the time, and its plain to see how the notion of succubus or incubus attacks was initially formed.

In conclusion, succubi and incubi have been able to be heavily disproven by modern medical advances. With that being said, it’s incredibly easy to understand how their stories would have been dreamt up in a more primitive time to give meaning to the otherwise unexplainable mental ailments. The idea of demons who sneak into your dreams and eventually your waking life to suck the life out of you by way of engaging in sexual relations sure sounds intriguing and almost exciting to experience (though perhaps in the same way as a train wreck), it’s something that’s best left to literature, television shows, movies, and nightmares because they’re undoubtedly just not realistic.