Question
Hi there,
Im 19 years old, and in good shape. I do not smoke or take drugs of any kind now, nor have I in the past.
Before I fully fall asleep at night I often see images that I assume a person on drugs [LSD - in specific] would see. for example: Repetitive patterns such as colorful fans all twirling at the same time and 'building' on eachother, other shapes melting into eachother and forming new shapes and colors, etc.
Most commonly, I see images of humans say with tiny bodies and huge inflated heads, then the inverse. Or even buildings and 3D shapes that warp and twist and flip and do all sorts of trippy, bizarre things. The images are always color-full and the background always empty and black.
Its important to note that I don't see this 'externally', its happening inside my head and Im fully aware of it. Does this still qualify as an Hallucination? Its not too bothersome for me, but I'm curious to know if something could be wrong? Sometimes this can get vivid and almost out of control with things enlarging so massively in my mind to the point of scary disbelief and likewise shrinking into the smallest of smallest nothings.
I also find that I am often able to take control of my dreams, whilst I'm still dreaming. But not always. In other words, I realise I'm dreaming and can act out how I wish as if it were reality, but its still in my dream. I can choose to wake up too.
I consider myself an extremely light sleeper. if someone breathes outside my door I'm alert in a second.
Any helpful comments are welcomed
Thank you,
Gray
Answer
Hypnangogic hallucinations are normal phenomenon however if your daytime alertness is affected it could be a symptom of narcolepsy. Instead of the brain and body falling asleep or awakening together there is a lag of a nano second and so one is between awake or asleep.Hallucinations can be so vivd so frighteneing that even after its over one can think you still are bing chased by monsters etc. To try and have less of this 3 hours before bedtime stay away from caffeine, alcohol, tea, coffee, caramel colored soda like coke, pepsi, gingerale root beer and chocolate and exercise all this make for restless sleep .30 min before bedtime try a hot bath and l5 minutes drink a glass of warm plain milk. Milk when heated contains tryptophan a natural amino acid sleep inducer . If this persists you may want to consult a sleep center your local hospital can refer you, but if this happens only upon awakening or falling asleep then they are hypnangogic hallucinations. But if you are worried about them, you may want to consult a sleep center if they happen often, but once in awhile, i wouldnt worry although im no md. feel free to email again. go to sleepnet.com search for hypnangogic hallucinations.karel
