| Connect & Subscribe |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hypnopompic Hallucinations - Waking Up To Horrific Nightmares
Hypnopompic hallucinations (also referred to as hypnopompic imagery) refer to any images or sensations associated with the cessation of sleep or the transition to wakefulness. Conversely, such imagery experienced upon falling asleep is known as hypnagogic imagery (although see the usage note just below).
Usage Note
In some cases, including on this site, you may see the term hypnagogic hallucinations used to cover both hypnopompic hallucinations (when waking up) and hypnagogic ones (when falling asleep).
This is largely a matter of convenience, as many conditions--such as sleep paralysis--can involve both hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations. By referring to them both with the umbrella-term hypnagogic, the writer can facilitate communication and limit the bulkiness of the terms in his or her sentences.
Hypnopompic imagery is often incredibly vivid and sometimes even terribly frightening. For instance, people experiencing the phenomenon of awareness during sleep paralysis often have these episodes, where they awake not being able to move a muscle, accompanied with nightmarish hypnopompic hallucinations. For some examples, check out the stories below.
Stories Involving Hypnopompic Hallucinations
The following are some visitor-submitted stories involving cases of hypnopompic 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.
Stories
Confused and Paralyzed During Dreams While Waking Up I don't know how to explain it, but a few times I have dreamt that I am laying there awake and paralyzed or keep going in and out of dreams, but I don'...
Scared to Sleep I consider myself a normal 42 yr. old female, other than my lack of healthy and restful sleep. I have suffered from Sleep Paralysis since I was 15 yrs....
I Know I'm Awake I was sleeping at a friend's house that I had never been to. We were planning on holding a paranormal investigation because of some strange goings on ...
If you have a story involving hypnopompic 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 does not, feel free to submit it here.
And join the conversation with your own comments here:
blog comments powered by DisqusGo from Hypnopompic to Hypnagogic Hallucinations
Learn More About The Incredible Experience of Sleep Paralysis
Subscribe To Our RSS Feed
About This Site
Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.
We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.
In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?
Interviews With Sleep Specialists: Insights Into the Worlds of Sleep Medicine & Sleep Business
America's Most Dangerous Disorder: What Is Sleep Apnea Doing To Your Sleep?
Sleep Debt: How Much More Will You Achieve When You Reduce Yours?
The Stages Of Sleep: The Journey Through The Night
Delayed Sleep Phase: You Want To Sleep But You're Not Tired Yet
Paralyzed at Night: Is Sleep Paralysis Normal?
Sleep In Words: Smart, Strange, and Funny Quotes About Sleep
Sleep Disorders In Children: What's Keeping Your Child From A Full Night's Rest?
Attacks of Pavor Nocturnus (a.k.a. Sleep Terrors, Night Terrors, or Incubus Attacks)
The Stanford Sleep Book
Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.
In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.
Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy
More Sleep Resources
The Zeo
A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.
Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide
Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.
Important Disclaimer
Please Note:
The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.
For more info, see our
Terms of Use.