A Self-Observational Study of Spontaneous Hypnagogic Imagery Using the Upright Napping Procedure

Abstract

Upright Napping is a procedure for observing and recording spontaneous hypnagogic imagery. It employs systematic self-observation and recording of imagery that occurs when one falls asleep in an upright seated position. Seventy-one hypnagogic images collected by the author over twenty-nine napping sessions were assessed for occurrence of illusory movements of the self and of other characters, for accompanying phasic and tonic neuromuscular events (NMEs), for isomorphic matches between illusory movements and NMEs, and for speaking and falling themes. The images were also subjected to an introspective analysis. Evidence was found for two types of illusory movement imagery and a distinctive progression in the quality of images as sleep ensues. With further trials and refinements, Upright Napping may prove to be a useful tool for investigating both the diversity and the microgenesis of dreamlike hypnagogic images.