What you are experiencing is known as "Hypnagogic Hallucinations" or "Hypnagogia." Hypnagogic hallucinations are vivid, dream-like experiences that occur as you are falling asleep. They can involve various sensory perceptions, such as visual, auditory, or even tactile sensations, and they can sometimes feel very real.
Hypnagogia is a natural phenomenon that happens during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. It occurs during the hypnagogic state, which is the transitional period when your brain waves shift from the active state of wakefulness to the more relaxed state of sleep.
During this phase, your brain may produce dream-like images, sounds, or other sensations, even though you are not fully asleep yet. These hallucinations can be quite vivid and sometimes startling, but they are generally harmless and are a normal part of the sleep process.
Hypnagogic hallucinations can be influenced by various factors, such as stress, sleep deprivation, irregular sleep schedules, and certain medications. They are also more likely to occur if you are extremely tired or fatigued.
It's essential to differentiate hypnagogic hallucinations from actual dreams that occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a different stage of the sleep cycle. Hypnagogic hallucinations happen at the onset of sleep, while REM dreams occur later in the sleep cycle.
If you find that these experiences are affecting your sleep or causing distress, it's a good idea to maintain a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and manage stress levels. If the hallucinations persist or worsen and disrupt your sleep significantly, consider consulting a healthcare professional or sleep specialist to rule out any underlying sleep disorders.