These experiences are vivid sensory phenomena that occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. They can manifest in various forms, including visual hallucinations, auditory experiences such as hearing one’s name called, tactile sensations like feeling a touch, or even a sense of falling. A common example is experiencing a sudden jerk or muscle spasm as one drifts off, often accompanied by a feeling of alarm or falling. These occurrences are considered a normal part of the sleep cycle for many individuals.
Understanding these pre-sleep perceptions is relevant within the scope of psychological studies because they offer insights into the workings of the brain as consciousness shifts. Their study helps to distinguish normal sleep physiology from sleep disorders. Historically, these sensations have been subjects of fascination and misinterpretation, often linked to supernatural phenomena before scientific explanations became prevalent.
