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Review
. 2023 Feb;32(1):e13719.
doi: 10.1111/jsr.13719. Epub 2022 Aug 26.

The hypnagogic state: A brief update

Romain Ghibellini  1 , Beat Meier  1
Affiliations
Review

The hypnagogic state: A brief update

Romain Ghibellini et al. J Sleep Res. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

The hypnagogic state refers to a transitional stage between wakefulness and sleep, in which sensory perceptions can be experienced. In this review, we compile and discuss the recent scientific literature on hypnagogia research regarding the future directions proposed by Schacter (1976; Psychological Bulletin, 83, 452). After a short introduction discussing the terminology used in hypnagogia research and the differentiation of hypnagogic states with other related phenomena, we review the reported prevalence of hypnagogic states. Then, we evaluate the six future directions suggested by Schacter and we propose three further future directions. First, a better understanding of the emotional quality of hypnagogic states is needed. Second, a better understanding of why hypnagogic states occur so frequently in the visual and kinaesthetic modalities is needed. Lastly, a better understanding of the purpose of hypnagogic states is needed. In conclusion, research has made great progress in recent years, and we are one step closer to demystifying the hypnagogic state.

Keywords: hypnagogia; hypnagogic hallucinations; hypnagogic states; hypnopompic hallucinations.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared that there were no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship or the publication of this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Localization of hypnagogic stages over the course of sleep
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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