Published on: 6/20/2025
What are hypnopompic hallucinations and how do they differ from hypnagogic ones?
Hypnopompic hallucinations occur as you wake up, while hypnagogic ones happen as you fall asleep. Both involve seeing or hearing things that aren't there.
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Explanation
Hypnopompic hallucinations happen when a person is waking up and can include seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't real. Hypnagogic hallucinations occur when someone is falling asleep and involve similar experiences.
Differences:
- Timing:
- Hypnopompic: Occurs during waking up.
- Hypnagogic: Happens when falling asleep.
- Experiences: People might see shapes, hear sounds, or feel like they are being touched.
These hallucinations are common and usually not a sign of a serious problem, but if they cause distress, it might be helpful to talk to a doctor. For mental health support, visit 988lifeline.org.
(References)
- Ohayon MM, Priest RG, Caulet M, & Guilleminault C. (1996). Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations: pathological .... The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 8894197.
- Cheyne JA, Rueffer SD, & Newby-Clark IR. (1999). Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations during sleep .... Consciousness and cognition, 10487786.
- Kompanje EJ. (2008). 'The devil lay upon her and held her down'. Hypnagogic .... Journal of sleep research, 18691361.
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