Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-25326117-20160526000933/@comment-28266772-20160526131102

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia

Visual hallucinations during waking and early stages of sleep are extremely common. In one study it was found that 37.5% of a UK sample had reported common hypnagogic (falling asleep) hallucinations, and 12.5% had reported hypnapompic (waking up) hallucinations. Other common features of this peculiar part of consciousness include night terrors, sleep paralysis, auditory and tactile sensations, and the 'tetris effect'.

The most common hallucination during this period is that of human like beings and animals. It is also a complete and total myth that you only dream during REM. Humans can dream at almost any stage of sleep, including stage 1 sleep where most people wouldn't even consider themselves unconscious (you can be in stage 1 sleep with your eyes open). It is likely that hypnagogic hallucinations are the result of your brain starting to experience visual dreams before the rest of your brain has realised that it needs to be shutting down.

I imagine you're a teenager, which is when most people experience frequent hypnagogic hallucinations. I also had the occasional 'guest', as did some of my friends, some of whom interpreted them as visits from dead family members (which is a matter of opinion, I suppose). Either way, no you're not weird. If you feel as though they are causing you distress, chances are it's either caused by a lack of sleep, or an irregular sleep pattern.

Hope I've provided some insight into these experiences.