Sometimes, just before we fully sink into dreamland, we begin to half-consciously watch pictures float in front of our eyes. We might picture our Twitter feed after we finally finish hours of scrolling before bed. Other times, we think someone is standing next to us, trying to keep us awake. If you have ever found yourself in the same boat, we have an explanation as to why you hallucinate before bed.
Hank Green from YouTube’s SciShow explains that these images pop into our heads while we exist in the state of hypnagogia, which is the state of neither being fully awake nor fully asleep. It’s also during this state that we can experience those violent twitches we all love so much.
Scientists consider hypnagogia to be an “altered state of consciousness,” similar to an LSD trip. Okay, the whole hallucination thing is starting to make sense now.
The hallucinations one experiences during hypnagogia can vary from simple shapes to full-blown people. Others may hear certain sounds or phrases repeated over and over again. And unlike dreams, which occur during deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, hypnagogic hallucinations will feel extremely real, which can be scary depending on the hallucination.
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Some people go through life never experiencing hypnagogia at all, whereas others may experience it often as a symptom of narcolepsy. Medical News Today reports that young adults and teens experience it more often than older adults.
Regulating one’s sleep schedule and refraining from drinking alcohol or doing drugs can lessen the occurrence of hypnagogic hallucinations.
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These hallucinations, although sometimes frightening, aren’t usually something to be concerned about. In fact, some people like Salvador Dali have tried to induce hypnagogic hallucinations to inspire creative ideas.
Only if these hallucinations are occurring alongside muscle weakness or stiffness, confused thoughts and tiredness while awake, disturbed sleep, or shaking hands, should you seek the advice of your doctor. Otherwise, try your best to enjoy the trip (or just will yourself to fall asleep faster).
