“So Strange and So Real”
Hypnagogic refers to the transition between being wakefulness and sleep. It’s that drowsy feeling you have just as you’re falling asleep. You may be somewhat aware of your surroundings during this period. You may even have mild dream-like thoughts. But hypnagogic hallucinations are much different. They tend to seem very “lifelike” and have a strong sensory component. You’ll see, hear and feel things as though you were fully awake.
When you awake from a typical dream, you usually know that you were dreaming. And even if you had a disturbing dream or nightmare, you can chalk it up to a bad dream and get on with your day.
But if you have hypnagogic hallucinations, you may have a harder time separating them from reality. Because they’re often so strange and seem so real, they can leave you feeling afraid and confused because the contents of the hallucinations made no sense.
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