quote:
Originally posted by Kaiden:
I'm prone to hypnogogic/hypnopopic halucinations. I wonder how safe they are. It feels like I'm not breathing, and that if I stay in state, I'm going to die. I'm wondering if that's a real problem, or if I'm just unaware of the fact I am breathing. I can vaguely remember reading somewhere that during these experiences some people think that they're not breathing, but they are.
You have those too, eh?
Yes I have experienced hypnogagic hallucinations for ten years. Have been unable to determine whether I am really breathing or not, although sometimes there is definitely a sensation that I am going to suffocate if I don't take a breath.
A couple of techniques I have found useful for pulling out of this state: doing a very shallow hyperventilation -- my impulse when these experiences arise is to take a deep breath, but that is usually impossible...I find if I am able to take small breaths, my brain seems to oxygenate and I quickly wake up.
Also, try staying still for a moment and then turning your head from side to side, with as much force as you can...that is another good way to pull yourself out.
As far as using these for astral projection etc., I don't know.
Back when I was reading Castandeda I thought of trying to use these states as a springboard into another dimension etc, but then I decided against it because some of these experiences were rather frightening to begin with, without pushing the envelope any further.
