Were They Gogic or Pompic? Either Way, They Scared Scared Me Witless!

Summary

A clinical social worker recounts their experiences with hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations and discusses the relationship between these phenomena and creativity, particularly in writing poetry.

Abstract

The author, a clinical social worker, shares a personal account of vivid hallucinations experienced during the threshold of consciousness, both upon falling asleep (hypnagogic) and waking up (hypnopompic). These experiences, initially frightening, were later understood as normal psychological occurrences after consultation with a psychiatrist. The narrative includes an instance of a motorcycle crashing through a wall and a perceived snake at the foot of the bed, which both turned out to be hallucinations. Over time, the frequency of these hallucinations has decreased, but the author has noticed an increase in creative thinking and poetry writing during these semi-conscious states. The author invites readers to share their own experiences and techniques for capturing creative thoughts that arise during these moments.

Opinions

The author initially felt nervous about starting a new job at a private psychiatric clinic but was also excited about the opportunity.
After discussing the hallucinations with a psychiatrist, the author was reassured that these experiences were not a sign of psychopathology.
The author believes that the threshold of consciousness is a state where creativity can flourish, as evidenced by their own rekindled passion for writing poetry.
There is an appreciation for the creative potential of the human mind during semi-conscious states, which the author feels is often untapped.
The author expresses gratitude towards Marcus aka Gregory Maidman for the invitation to contribute to a publication that embraces unique and offbeat minds.

“Threshold of consciousness”

I’ll never forget one night when I was sleeping in my first apartment, just a few days after moving in and on the eve of starting a new job. I was filled with excitement about the opportunity to work in a highly respected private psychiatric clinic alongside three well-known doctors who had an excellent reputation not only in my city but throughout the state. My role as a clinical social worker would involve conducting both in-patient and out-patient group therapy sessions, individual psychotherapy, as well as marriage and family counseling. Having only obtained my M.S.W. two months earlier, I naturally felt a bit nervous.

After ensuring that my clothes were hanging in the closet doorway and my shoes and pantyhose were ready (yes, this was in the 1970s, and we endured those uncomfortable things), I prepared for bed and called my cat, Boo, to join me. The newly built apartment complex was still relatively empty, and the night outside was quiet. Just as I had drifted off to sleep, I was abruptly awakened by the deafening noise of a motorcycle. I jolted upright and, to my astonishment, witnessed the motorcycle crashing through the wall opposite my bed! Startled, I leaped back, banging my head on the headboard, and poor Boo fled the room in panic. After a few heart-pounding seconds, I realized that there was nothing in my room, although there was a motorcycle idling in the parking lot. This was not my first, but it was one of the most vivid hypnagogic hallucinations I have ever had.

After a few months on the job and receiving very positive feedback about my performance, I decided to share this experience with the psychiatrist with whom I had developed a comfortable rapport. He proceeded to explain hypnagogic hallucinations and inquired whether I had ever encountered anything similar upon waking in the morning. I recounted a specific instance of waking up one morning and perceiving a snake poised to strike, coiled at the foot of my bed, only to leap out of bed and discover that nothing was there. He went on to clarify that hallucinations occurring upon waking, as opposed to falling asleep, were referred to as hypnopompic hallucinations. In a light-hearted manner, he noticed my apparent discomfort with the term “hallucination” and reassured me that these experiences were not indicative of psychopathology.

The term “threshold consciousness” is commonly used to describe the state of being half-awake and half-asleep, during which both hypnogogic and hypnopompic hallucinations may occur. As I’ve grown older, the vivid hallucinations that were once a part of my adolescence and young adulthood have become increasingly rare. However, I have noticed that my imagination, or what some might call “daydreaming” about ideas, has become more pronounced.

Recently, I’ve rekindled my passion for writing poetry, and I often find myself contemplating imagery for a poem or crafting lines with a particular iambic meter as I drift off to sleep or wake up. My awakening process tends to occur in stages, and some of the best lines come to me during that initial phase. The challenge lies in capturing these great lines of poetry, as they tend to vanish once I’m fully awake in the morning. I’ve been making an effort to rouse myself sufficiently to grab my phone and jot down these lines in my notes, but it can be quite a struggle in that drowsy, half-asleep state.

If you’ve had experiences with hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucinations or developed techniques to tap into your threshold consciousness to enhance your creative writing, I invite you to share your insights in the comments. I’m eager to learn how you harness the incredible creative potential of the human mind that often remains untapped.

I want to thank Marcus aka Gregory Maidman for inviting me to write about my hypnogogic and hypnopompic experiences. I am excited to explore other writers in this relatively new publication, where having a little offbeat mind is perfectly normal!