Thread: Why Do We Hallucinate While Falling Asleep? — Hypnagogia / Hypnagogic Hallucinations (Lucid Dreams)

I know that most people may know this but, for those who may not know the different, this may help?

Thanks for the video. I'd just like to add that when you practice being aware of HI stuff as you fall to sleep. It just gets easier to stay aware of, I don't think it really indicates anything off like it sounded like he was suggesting. Just think it means you're good at staying aware of it. Sometimes I'm good at it sometimes not, just on how focused I am on practicing it. But usually when I'm more tired I just fall to sleep faster and don't notice it as much as when I'm not as sleepy and have to concentrate harder to start slipping into it. At least that's how it works for me.


Edit: One thing I've been getting a lot of lately is the seeing through eyelids effect. I know it's not really, just an HI scene. I don't know why that happens so much though. Feeling wide awake and looking around the room you're sitting in even though you know your eyes are closed.

Interesting. It was a good video.

What's interesting to me is that I spend a good portion of every night in this in-between sleep stage. I do it purposefully.

What I've noticed is that, at least in my case, the things that I am hearing (occasionally seeing) are not random at all. I find that I am having conversations with people I know, and also my main "dream narrator." If you're good at analyzing dreams for dream meaning, you can get good at analyzing these snippets as well. I journaled the first year or so when I first started studying my dreams ~6 years ago. It's so fascinating to look at with a full waking mind later. Now days, I don't have to interpret anything like I did in the beginning; my messages are direct.

I know not everybody is going to agree that this happens, and that's ok. I'm not claiming that everything I hear is true (although... I have some stories).. however, it is my experience. From complete honesty.

Originally Posted by MoonageDaydream

Interesting. It was a good video.

What's interesting to me is that I spend a good portion of every night in this in-between sleep stage. I do it purposefully.

What I've noticed is that, at least in my case, the things that I am hearing (occasionally seeing) are not random at all. I find that I am having conversations with people I know, and also my main "dream narrator." If you're good at analyzing dreams for dream meaning, you can get good at analyzing these snippets as well. I journaled the first year or so when I first started studying my dreams ~6 years ago. It's so fascinating to look at with a full waking mind later. Now days, I don't have to interpret anything like I did in the beginning; my messages are direct.

I know not everybody is going to agree that this happens, and that's ok. I'm not claiming that everything I hear is true (although... I have some stories).. however, it is my experience. From complete honesty.

Yeah all manner of strange and fascinating things can happen. That's pretty cool that you are familiar enough with your symbolisms that you can interpret them well. That's kind of what I was trying to say about purposefully being in that stage, with practice you just do it. I actually can't even stay aware of it unless I'm purposely practicing doing it but during times of regular practice it gets easier. Except for occasionally during situations of really bad insomnia where I can't force myself to sleep but end up drifting in and out of HI a little bit. And I usually have to be either laying on my back or sitting up in my chair so I'm not too comfortable. usually if I'm laying on my side comfortable I just fall to sleep no matter how much I'm trying to stay aware, except as mentioned if it happens to be a really bad insomnia moment. Last night I had a random guy jumping around in front of me waving his arms in a silly manner as if trying to get my attention. I was fully lucid while watching him and his antics were quite amusing.

I'm pretty sure I've seen the same white light on a few occasions that people report seeing during near death experiences.

That's funny you say that. I have the opposite problem. I am not really a natural at lucid dreaming; I must keep in constant practice or I will lose the ability. However, I have absolutely no problem staying in HI / "trance" for long periods if wanted. In fact, sometimes I will take a sleeping pill because it's the only OFF button I have. I guess it comes with being a naturally light sleeper. I don't know.

It sounds like that dream character really wanted your attention. If it were my dream, I would have asked him what he wanted. I bet his answer would have been amusing at the least

Originally Posted by MoonageDaydream

That's funny you say that. I have the opposite problem. I am not really a natural at lucid dreaming; I must keep in constant practice or I will lose the ability. However, I have absolutely no problem staying in HI / "trance" for long periods if wanted. In fact, sometimes I will take a sleeping pill because it's the only OFF button I have. I guess it comes with being a naturally light sleeper. I don't know.

It sounds like that dream character really wanted your attention. If it were my dream, I would have asked him what he wanted. I bet his answer would have been amusing at the least

That must make for a lot of fun and amazing experiences.

I don't think I was in it far enough yet to actually talk to the guy. Sometimes I'm in the scene full bodied and interact and other times just observing. That one was more observing, just kind of appeared in front of me and was watching.