Sometimes I “see things” after coming out of sleep–what is this?
Seeing imagery while falling asleep or when coming out of sleep is a form of dream imagery called hypnagogic hallucinations (HH). This imagery can sometimes be seen with open eyes, and in rare cases, last a few moments after the sleeper has gotten out of bed. It can be disturbing because the dreamer feels “aware and awake,” leading to unjustified fears of losing one’s mind. Seeing this imagery is normal part of waking up for many people but for some, HH can also be a symptom of a larger, underlying issue.
What we do know is that hypngagogia happens during Stage 1 sleep (which Zeo groups with Stage 2 sleep to call “Light”) and may be involved with REM intrusion into Stage 1 sleep. Recent work suggests that the imagery may occur due to brain desynchronization during sleep—basically when the thalamus “goes to sleep” before the frontal lobe. It’s also possible that your attitude and expectations can co-create the imagery that emerges; for example, if you’re feeling fearful, you may experience creepy spiders, but if you relax into the experience, you may see more benign objects. Some individuals such Salvador Dali and Thomas Edison promoted HH on purpose for creative inspiration.
Those who experience HH typically describe them as they relate to sight and sound–though they can include all five senses. Many report seeing and hearing insects and other creepy-crawlies, witness startling geometric light effects and other cartoonish objects, and hear sounds like voices, their name being called, and a wide range of strange sounds like buzzing or beeping. Finally, some people sense a “presence” in the room and may also see a person in the room. While hypnagogic hallucinations in and of themselves are not harmful, a sudden pattern of HH may indicate an underlying issue, such as fractured sleep, insomnia, narcolepsy or increased stress level.
If you are having HH and breathing problems at night or feelings of fatigue during the day, you may be at risk for sleep apnea. For more information–including a quick risk assessment quiz–click here.
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