Thread: The 'visitor'

This is a pretty classic subjective experience of dreaming. See, for example, in art and mythology:

The Nightmare
Incubus
Succubus


It may have been a hallucination or it may have been a dream. If it was a hallucination it may have been hypagogic (pre-sleep) or hynopompic (post-sleep). The differences are interesting if you want to learn more, but it's a bit academic. When you are asleep or near sleep, you may feel a stiffness in your muscles called atony. It can feel like a heavy weight is laying on top of you or near you, or that you're tied up, or that you can't feel your limbs at all. In addition to the stiffness, you may also experience muscle spasms, which might feel like something else in the bed, or something large stomping near the bed, or like an earthquake. Together, these sensations may trigger a sense of apprehension like you're trapped, that someone is holding you against your will, and/or a strong urge to move or flee. Also, your logic is impaired, so your brain's imagination tends to take over and manifest these sensations into a narrative that might explain the situation.

Thank you Sisyphus for your reply. This particular night time experience has perplexed me for some time. The experience was quite clear: fell asleep, became aware of being asleep and also of being in bed. No muscle atrophy or sense of paralysation, just a clear knowledge that I was asleep and awaiting the next experience. This does need further learning I'm sure. The weight on my bed was as real as I'm sitting here now. I've 'asked' for it to happen again - it hasn't, although dreaming of being in bed has happened again, with rather alarming results. The deeper I get into this, the more confused and perplexed I become! Further reading recommendations would be appreciated. Many thanks to all who might help.

I have just looked at the references you suggested and with respect, I am not sure that human made demons or Wiki requests for money are quite what I'm after here. I'm a genuine dreamer, with a genuine desire to learn and understand.

It is hypnogogia/hypnopompic hallucinations. Nothing more.

Sleep Paralysis: Demon in the Bedroom

Dont be afraid and do more research for yourself. It is a form of sleep disturbance.