Hypnagogic states are quite common: Self-reported prevalence, modalities, and gender differences.

Hypnagogic states—vivid experiences during the transition from wakefulness to sleep—were reported by 80.2% of 4,456 participants in a questionnaire study, with higher prevalence in women than men. Kinaesthetic and visual experiences were most common, while auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory ones were less frequent. These states were less prevalent than dreams and showed distinct modality profiles, but matched dreams in emotional quality, irritation, and vividness. The findings indicate hypnagogic states are widespread and share key features with dreaming.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The hypnagogic state refers to the transitional phase between wakefulness and sleep during which vivid experiences occur. In this questionnaire study, we assessed the self-reported prevalence of hypnagogic states considering the frequency of experiences in different modalities. We also assessed the emotional quality and the vividness of the experiences. Moreover, we compared hypnagogic states to other phenomena, such as dreams, sleep paralysis, imagination, and extra-sensory perception in these measures. Hypnagogic states were reported by 80.2 % of 4456 participants and were more prevalent in women than men. Experiences were most often kinaesthetic and visual, and less often auditory, tactile, and olfactory or gustatory. Hypnagogic states were less prevalent than dreams and characterized by different modality profiles. However, they were similar to dreams in their emotional quality, the irritation they caused, and in their vividness. In conclusion, hypnagogic states are quite common.