Thread: What are the differences between Hypnogogic and hypnopompic SP?

Recently I had some interesting "Old hag" experiences. Really terrifying ones. Still many people here are talking about hypnogogic SP, which they would like to induce with help of some technique. No matter how I tried, i couldnt achieve really that deep state as I experienced in my "Old hag" episode (hypnopompic one). This leads me to question.

1. What are the differences between hypnogogic and hypnopompic SP experiences?
2. Is it possible to have that Old hag experience on sleep onset?

I am asking this becouse I think it is quite easy to get this kind of (sometimes terrifying) experience when dream ends, but I simply cannot imagine, how waking state of mind could transform into this hallucinating state of mind using any technique.

Thanx for all your responses.

Originally Posted by adraw

Recently I had some interesting "Old hag" experiences. Really terrifying ones. Still many people here are talking about hypnogogic SP, which they would like to induce with help of some technique. No matter how I tried, i couldnt achieve really that deep state as I experienced in my "Old hag" episode (hypnopompic one). This leads me to question.

1. What are the differences between hypnogogic and hypnopompic SP experiences?

Check out note 5 of What Every Lucid Dreamer Should Know About Sleep Paralysis, and follow the link to find out more.

In Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming LaBerge explains how to use sleep paralysis to enter a WILD. Have you read it?

2. Is it possible to have that Old hag experience on sleep onset?

I think that's when it usually occurs.

Originally Posted by Thor

I think that's when it usually occurs.

Really. I have not evidence that I was not actually starting new dream . I'll take a look.

Well If I take it logically. There is not really an evidence I was sleep paralysed at all. I could just be trapped without movement in my dream world. Well. Maybe I should be more carefull using this term. From now on I will try to describe what I mean by saying SP before using this term. (Maybe I will totally overcome using this term at all).

I might just have a real and extremely vivid dream where I couldnt move. And there was some evil presence. .

Originally Posted by adraw

Well If I take it logically. There is not really an evidence I was sleep paralysed at all. I could just be trapped without movement in my dream world. Well. Maybe I should be more carefull using this term. From now on I will try to describe what I mean by saying SP before using this term. (Maybe I will totally overcome using this term at all).

I might just have a real and extremely vivid dream where I couldnt move. And there was some evil presence. .

I suppose it could be a false awakening.

Originally Posted by moonshine

I suppose it could be a false awakening.

I just wonder, whats the subjective distinction if you just feel trapped in dream world and if you are trapped there becouse of halucinatory hypnopompic sleep paralysis. I dont see any distinction.

You are aware, you cannot move ...

Originally Posted by Thor

I think that's when it usually occurs.

I was under the impression that it normally occurs upon waking up? I've never had this experience myself, but it seems like most of the experiences that I've heard/read about were during the hypnopompic stage.

Now I readed something more and coming to conclusion that , yess. Also according to studies. SP episode occurs mostly as a Hypnopompic variant. It was probably mistyped.