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Ok, so from some posts, I get the sense that HI are mostly weird hallucinations, pretty colors, and nonsensical things (similar to an LSD/shrooms trip...?). From other posts I am under the impression that they are more real and logical, however short, 'scenes'. Do both come about at different times? Is it a progression from the former to the latter? Just trying to clarify so I'm not surprised (I'm pretty sure I've experienced HI but I'm not positive)
Most people seem to exagerate HI. It's not like a shrooms or LSD trip. Its mostly subtle colors and lights that you see with your eyes closed. For some the HI is more vivid than others. Some hear sounds along with it, some hear no sounds at all. It all varies varies from person to person. Its exactly like what you said, some posts are one way some are the other, that's because it's different for everyone. Some see colors, some see vivid images and dream scenes. Typically HI before SP is very light and subtle, while after SP people report hearing voices and very loud sounds like someone ripping metal right next to them. Everyone has different HI but they are never like a LSD trip.
There are both kinds. When you are just starting to fall asleep, you might see little dreamlets or flashes of imagery in your mind's eye. When you get close to the border of sleep, you can see and hear things that look completely stable and realistic. It can be as vivid and convincing as real life. It can be as disorienting and engaging as the best drug-induced trip.
Like RB said, there are no rules for exactly how you'll experience HI. It can be sutble, and it can be very obvious (especially those last moments before you drift off). Most of the time, we are not really consciously aware that HI is not real because we're already beginning to fall asleep and we aren't logically thinking "hey, I shouldn't be hearing a train right now, that can't be real!" :P