Hypnopompic
Encyclopedia
A hypnopompic state is the state of consciousness leading out of sleep
, a term coined by the psychical researcher Frederic Myers. Its twin is the hypnagogic state at sleep onset; though often conflated, the two states are not identical. The hypnagogic state is rational
waking
cognition
trying to make sense of non-linear images and associations; the hypnopompic state is emotion
al and credulous dream
ing cognition trying to make sense of real world stolidity. They have a different phenomenological character. Depressed frontal lobe
function in the first few minutes after waking – known as "sleep inertia
" – causes slowed reaction time and impaired short-term memory
. Sleepers often wake confused, or speak without making sense, a phenomenon the psychologist
Peter McKeller calls "hypnopompic speech." When the awakening occurs out of rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep, in which most dreams occur, the hypnopompic state is sometimes accompanied by lingering vivid imagery. Some of the creative insights attributed to dreams actually happen in this moment of awakening from REM. In The Committee of Sleep, Margie Profet's McArthur-award winning biology experiment is shown to be one of these.
Sleep
Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than...
, a term coined by the psychical researcher Frederic Myers. Its twin is the hypnagogic state at sleep onset; though often conflated, the two states are not identical. The hypnagogic state is rational
Rationality
In philosophy, rationality is the exercise of reason. It is the manner in which people derive conclusions when considering things deliberately. It also refers to the conformity of one's beliefs with one's reasons for belief, or with one's actions with one's reasons for action...
waking
Waking
Waking may refer to:*waking up, emerging from sleep*Waking , an alternative rock band*The Waking, a poem written by Theodore Roethke...
cognition
Cognition
In science, cognition refers to mental processes. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions. Cognition is studied in various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science...
trying to make sense of non-linear images and associations; the hypnopompic state is emotion
Emotion
Emotion is a complex psychophysiological experience of an individual's state of mind as interacting with biochemical and environmental influences. In humans, emotion fundamentally involves "physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience." Emotion is associated with mood,...
al and credulous dream
Dream
Dreams are successions of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. The content and purpose of dreams are not definitively understood, though they have been a topic of scientific speculation, philosophical intrigue and religious...
ing cognition trying to make sense of real world stolidity. They have a different phenomenological character. Depressed frontal lobe
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobe is an area in the brain of humans and other mammals, located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere and positioned anterior to the parietal lobe and superior and anterior to the temporal lobes...
function in the first few minutes after waking – known as "sleep inertia
Sleep inertia
Sleep inertia is a physiological state characterised by a decline in motor dexterity and a subjective feeling of grogginess immediately following an abrupt awakening. The impaired alertness may interfere with the ability to perform mental or physical tasks...
" – causes slowed reaction time and impaired short-term memory
Short-term memory
Short-term memory is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in mind in an active, readily available state for a short period of time. The duration of short-term memory is believed to be in the order of seconds. A commonly cited capacity is 7 ± 2 elements...
. Sleepers often wake confused, or speak without making sense, a phenomenon the psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
Peter McKeller calls "hypnopompic speech." When the awakening occurs out of rapid eye movement
Rapid eye movement
Rapid eye movement sleep is a normal stage of sleep characterized by the random movement of the eyes. REM sleep is classified into two categories: tonic and phasic. It was identified and defined by Nathaniel Kleitman, Eugene Aserinsky, and Jon Birtwell in the early 1950s...
(REM) sleep, in which most dreams occur, the hypnopompic state is sometimes accompanied by lingering vivid imagery. Some of the creative insights attributed to dreams actually happen in this moment of awakening from REM. In The Committee of Sleep, Margie Profet's McArthur-award winning biology experiment is shown to be one of these.