Hypnagogic Hallucinations - Incredible Imagery At Sleep Onset

Hypnagogic hallucinations (also referred to as HH, or hypnagogic imagery) consists of imagery experienced at the onset of sleep. Conversely, such imagery experienced upon awakening is known as hypnopompic imagery (although see the usage note just below).

For the most part, this imagery is common to nearly all of us (if we're perceptive enough to notice it) and consists of vague and disconnected images, sometimes splotches of color, that appear oh-so-fleetingly as we fall asleep.

In more fascinating instances of hypnagogic hallucinations, the imagery experienced can be extraordinarily vivid and life-like. In many cases, such vivid imagery can be incredibly frightening for the individual experiencing it, especially when coupled with sleep paralysis. Examples of hallucinations during episodes of sleep paralysis can be found in the stories listed below.

Vivid hypnagogic hallucinations are also one of the four main symptoms of narcolepsy, which you can learn more about here.

Stories Involving Hypnagogic Hallucinations

The following are some visitor-submitted stories involving cases of hypnagogic hallucinations. Browse through them to get a better sense of the incredible nature of some of this imagery, as well as the frightening potential. They are nothing short of testament to the extraordinary capabilities of our mind to create.

If you have a story involving hypnagogic hallucinations and would like to share it, we would love to hear it. If it involves sleep paralysis, you can submit it here. If it involves narcolepsy, please submit it here. If it involves neither, please submit it here.

And join the conversation with your own comments here:

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