TIL about exploding head syndrome, which causes patients to hear a loud, frightening noise when falling asleep or waking up. Up to 10% of people may have it, but cases often go undiagnosed
I get this from time to time when falling asleep. It's really annoying when it happens. Like I'll be dozing off and then there will be this loud-ass noise.
I've experienced this, or at least something that very closely fits its description, a couple times in the past, and it varies on a case-by-case basis. One time it was almost like the sound of glass breaking, I think one time might've been closer to a door slamming. Weird shit.
And, same deal as the other fella, hard to remember the specifics 'cause you're sorta half-asleep when it happens.
I hear a loud bang as if from another room. Like a trash can falling over, or a someone dropping a bag with about 10lbs on a hardwood floor, or a pushing a wooden chair into a dining table too hard. It's enough to think "what just fell?!".
It does not sound like a door closing, or stomping, or something fragile moving or falling.
I startle awake, realize I'm the only one awake, and that there aren't anymore sounds so it must have been my brain and I pass out fully.
It's pretty strange and I think it's funny how I never really thought about it until now.
For me it is a popping sound, a bit like the sound of popping your ears during an altitude change, but way, way louder. It would be impossible to mistake for a noise caused by something IRL, it sounds like that blood rushing into your ears sound for me.
Like most people, it changes. For me it is like someone took the volume knob on the world and maxed it out for half a second. Just a blip of every sound in the room suddenly being set to 11. Sometimes it is like someone yelling in my ear, but just a grunt or a scream like they fell over.
I have this happen sometimes. Usually its loud but mundane stuff like doors closing, a familiar voice saying something vaugly important, something slamming or dropping. It can variy wildly but usually its the most boring crap.
Usually I go back to sleep with no issues but sometimes it startles you and gets the adrenaline going. I usually rule it out as half dreaming but sometimes you got to check to name sure no one broke in.
The absolute worse is the cat throwing up, I have to go check that one since sometimes its real.
Yes! Mine definitely preys on my anxiety of having someone break in when my husband is gone for an overnight shift. I have to check the doors and windows before I can get back to sleep.
I have checked the house a few times wearing noting but a pistol a few times because of it. I think it was really just nerves from moving in alone at that point.
I've definitely been there as well; it can get spooky. It's funny you mention that, my first (and thankfully only) really bad experience with hallucinating during sleep paralysis happened the first time I moved into an apartment on my own. I had to run out of there and drive around to calm myself down at like 3 in the morning. Wishing you peaceful nights!