Thread: Could this have been a hallucination?

It could be that I have loud neighbors...

If it happened right when you were somewhere on the edge of sleep, it's possible that you might have heard something originating from your mind. These are called hypnagogic hallucinations. They can take the form of sounds, a falling sensation, or apparently, something called exploding head syndrome.

Following up on what Travis E. said, it sounds very much like hypnagogia to me. I've had many hypnagogic hallucinations right after waking up, more-so if it's the 2nd time waking up after sleeping in again. This can actually lead directly into a lucid dream if you manage to balance things just right. Do you hear a loud ringing of the ears when it happens? At least in my experience, it's often accompanied by a loud buzzing that escalates and pretty freaky sounds/sights (so its a challenge not to startle myself fully awake). I've observed it even leaves a lingering after-effect of a kinda staticy visual noticable on white surfaces. Counting backwards helps for staying calm and aware, and don't worry, even if it seems loud the sounds won't damage your hearing.

Just for an example I've often heard footsteps while in this state, or even people speaking- once I was almost 100% certain it was just my mom walking about, up to the point that she even entered my room and nagged at me to get out of bed- and then I opened my eyes and there was simply no one there, no one else was even home. Gave me the chills.

Also it's worth looking in to sleep-paralysis, this is basically the same state just without the paralysis part.

The strangest transition to sleep was during one of my wbtb attempts a while ago where when I tried to wbtb, I found someone else in my bed and after 2 minutes of talking with them, I realized that I must be dreaming.

As for the OP, it's quite possible that it is hypnagogic imagery. I sometimes hear people call my name or my door opening and closing.

Originally Posted by Him

The strangest transition to sleep was during one of my wbtb attempts a while ago where when I tried to wbtb, I found someone else in my bed and after 2 minutes of talking with them, I realized that I must be dreaming.

That reminds of a time several years ago when I had woken up in the middle of the night and felt something in my hand and then briefly saw a shadowy figure of what I imagined I could be holding in the darkness. Then I realized I wouldn't have brought it with me in bed, blinked, and it was gone. It turned out I had my head lying on my hand, making it feel at first like I was holding something. I immediately noted the event after it occurred (before going back to sleep), and my notes were still there the next morning, so my conclusion was that this was a true hypnopompic hallucination and not simply a false awakening.

Not quite as dramatic as actually talking to someone/something, but it was still pretty fascinating to me. Personally, HH lasting all the way into awakening seems quite rare; I don't recall encountering anything quite like this since.