Thread: Hypnagogic imagery?!

Originally Posted by Elucive

So I've noticed that when I'm falling asleep, I start to notice random images or mini scenes of people or places in my head. The thing is, I only notice them when they're done, never while it's happening. I always snap back and think, "Whoa, what the hell?". So basically they only happen when I'm not aware, because once I am aware, they disappear. Anyways, are these hypnagogic images? I also see them when I first go to bed at night which is weird because your first REM period isn't till like an hour or more later. So is it HI or just me thinking about random crap? ...cause if it is HI then maybe I have a slight chance at WILD.

Yes it is Hypnogogia.
You're not likely to be able to WILD when first falling asleep for the night though.
We all have Hypnogogia when falling asleep, but you'll still need to go through the 90 minute sleep cycle to reach REM when first going to bed at night.
Most start of the night Hypnogogia is NREM dreamlettes. Like thoughts manifesting visually, and often auditory too.

If you want a chance at inducing a WILD, I would suggest doing WBTB in the few hours before you'd normally get up. The Hypnogogia at this point, is likely to be a precursor to true REM.

But hypnogogia, in my experience, is part of the natural falling asleep pattern, regardless of which stage of the sleep cycle you are about to enter.
It's certainly not a guarantee that you are about to enter a dream.
But if focused on at the right part of the night, it is a very handy springboard to lucidity.

Hope that helps.