I'm just curious about sleeping and how your mind dulls the senses for hours on end?
135706
Your brain blacks you out while you sleep, and it does it chemically. It is triggered by adenosine and seratonin but the actually falling asleep is quite complex.\nAlso your mind is not dulled by sleep. During non-rem sleep brain activity is lower but during REM sleep brain activity is often greater than waking life.  Most people's bodies are temporarily paralyzed chemically to prevent the body from moving during sleep, while the senses are being excited by dreams of rem sleep.  This process occurs even if you dont remember dreaming.\n\ncheck:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep
612766
Sleep depravation is very bad for all of us. Seems like you are just exhausted and then you can't think or concentrate. You need more rest whenever you can get it.
318513
Thats what is called trance in meditation. But that doesnt happen when people sleep. It is a stage between sleep and awake where the body and mind are both working but independently.
616223
This is a very interesting topic. It's like how you can hear yourself say something in your mind, but you don't actually hear sound. Or how you see a certain image when your eyes are open (hence, daydream). It's difficult to observe thoughts as they are happening, since the only way to actually formulate an opinion about what we are thinking is to analyze what we remember thinking. It's pretty amazing how our minds work, and what they control. We can't (more accurately, MOST of us can't) voluntarily control the rate of our heart beat, but we can voluntarily control our breathing. Yet, when we are asleep or not paying attention, our brain's nervous system takes over. It's so amazing...\n\nI can go on about this forever! : ) I actually have never heard of the Heisenberg Uncertainty principle but I'll look into it. (After a pause...) My thoughts are telling me to finish typing. ^_^
225420
There could be two different problems going on here. One could be that something is bothering you here and you need some peace of mind about it before you can truly totally relax. Have you tried maybe some aromatherapy before you go to bed or near your bed? Lavendar is excellent to promote a healthy, restful sleep. Also, before you go to bed, a few hours before, quit drinking anything with caffeine and sugar in it. Before bed, drink a glass of milk ( warm if you like it that way. The triptofan-phan? in it will really help you to relax and get to sleep easier_) and maybe take a warm bath or shower. I love crawling into bed after I dry off from a hot shower... yummy!!\n\nHave you ever thought about praying before you go to bed? I know, I know.. you're thinking I"m a zealot. But seriously, if you have something bothering you , you can ask for help. Ask for guidance in decision making, thank  ( diety of choice here) for all  the blessings you have in your life, forgiveness for any indescretions you may have committed... etc... This can really clear the mind for easier sleep.\n\nOk, the OTHER option I wanted to bring up is Sleep apnea. Its a sleep disorder that can easily be diagnosed. IF you have a problem with snoring, waking up alot and never feeling rested, you might have apnea. I do, and I used to have bizzaro dreams like you spoke of.  I got tested and I sleep with a little machine at night that helps me breathe now at night and I feel sooo much better!!  Just ask your boyfriend to watch your sleeep  patterns one night and to make notes. Look up the symptoms online. You never know, your problems might just be something this simple. \n\nWhatever it is, I really do hopeyou get some good sleep soon and cut back on those dreams!! \n\nsweet dreams....
299644
even though you are under your mind won't really let you do anything you would not do awake....Like kill someone etc...\nAnd you do know whats going on but, its like your dreaming.
423544
I feel for your friend- But,I have the same problem.I'm a 37yr.old female.And I have Insomnia really bad.I've had a sleep study done.But,nothing I've tried has helped.I've tried- Reading,Simply Sleep,Tylenol P.M.,Ambien,Lunesta,and even a natural med from the pharmacy.Nothing has helped me yet.Sometimes I'm up for 2-days straight.It sucks.So,If you find out something please let me know if you don't mind.My E-Mail is: jac9blond@yahoo.com I wish i could help.
613712
I'm so glad you asked this question! I've always done this and I was always too afraid to mention it to anyone. Mine is like a whole different life but it's me. The life continues every night like I'm actually living it. I've had the same "movie" going and progressing for a few months now. When one life gets boring, I create a whole new scenario in my head of an ideal life and fantasize about that life until it gets boring(They usually last months at a time). I use this to fall asleep also. It's the only way I've found calm my mind enough to sleep. Thanks for easing my worries and I hope my and the other's answers help ease your worries. :^)
204694
You really made me crack up on that one.  Of course, I'm going on no sleep, so I'm laughing over the dumbest things.  Anyway, you hear voices in your head because they are being created by your mind and have no reality outside of your mind.  \n\nIf you start hearing things from your arse, then go to the doctor immediately because you have either totally lost it, or you have swallowed a tape recorder which is about to exit and that could hurt!
55223
I have had major sleep problems and here are some things that have helped me.  Mind racing at night is a sign of serotonin deficiency.  Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that makes us feel good and relaxed.  \n\nSerotonin is made from tryptophan, an amino acid component of protein.  There's a lot of tryptophan in turkey, which is why we do get sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner.  There's some in milk.  The trick is that tryptophan has to compete with other amino acids to cross what's called the "blood-brain barrier."  Other amino acids make other brain chemicals that make us feel alert and on edge (like epinephrine - similar to adrenalin).  \n\nSo, bottom line is, try eating more turkey.  Or have some milk with high carbs that increase your insulin and let tryptophan win the race to the blood-brain barrier and make serotonin.  Carbs can be things like a piece of fruit, or some bread.  My favorite is a "milk shake" with fruit.\n\nOther hints - keep the room dark.  Try to establish a routine for going to bed, to train your mind that it's getting time to get ready for sleep (like training Pavlov's dog).  A simple routine like - brush your teeth, get dressed for bed, write a few minutes in a journal, just long enough so your brain has time to adjust to the sleep that's coming.\n\nGood luck to you.
309431
houses settle at night, as the wood expands and contracts fromn heat changes and all that.  i wouldnt worry, its probably nothing. also, your mind is also probably at a heightened state of alertness so you hear noises you wouldnt hear during the day, you know? \nmaybe try playing some soft music or keep the television on while you try to sleep.
410682
I would say yes, this feeling is normal.  I can relate to what you describe because I went for long periods without sleep in the past and I felt horrible, similar to what you describe.  It is hard on anyone who misses a lot of needed sleep!  There are sleep clinics around now days, so if this continues, get a referal from your doctor to one and take care of your insomnia!  Good luck.
621996
I used to get this a lot when I used to regularly stay awake for 70+ hours in a stretch (I had problems and didn't sleep much).  Basically the way that the eyes work involves two main pigments (often called visual yellow and visual purple) which are photosensative (like camera film) and they constantly renew themselves, if you have not slept enough sometimes the production of these visual pigments slows down a bit leading to shapes and specks in th peripheral vision.  \nHave a great day and get more sleep!
158852
I went through a similar cycle with no help from anywhere.  Drugs left me zonked the next day too.  Eventually I found relief through my own little techniques.  Stress doesn't help mind you.  She has to find a pattern that suits her.  The trick is that when your head hits the pillow it can't say "OK go to sleep, go to sleep this time".  The n the cycle has already begun.  I drink a warm malted milk and then always force my imagination to go somewhere.  For me the start is always very science fiction, but that is just me.  Before you know it the mind can wonder on its own and zzzzzzzz.....  Just advise mind you, insomnia is different for everyone and there are different types.  The other main variety is waking up 3 hours into sleep and then being stuck awake.
272265
hi........you are describing what me and certain members of my family have had happen many, many times. you are just getting ready to drift off to sleep but you are very much still aware of your surroundings. all of a sudden you feel like you can;t move your body and your breathing feels funny. most of the time we all get the feeling someone or something is in the room with us and it sets such a fear inside you but you can't move or speak. often i try to shake myself awake, but i feel paralyzed. i heard this is a real disorder called sleep paralysis. wow......it seems funny seeing you ask about this. for a long time i thought only my family had this.
590569
I FELT ASLEEP.. \nWOKE UP N CONFUSED... Y IS THERE A 3RD PERSON?? WHO'S HE???
88374
I've been plauged with insomnia since as far back as I can recall. My mom always had problems getting me up for school in the morning, mainly b/c I didn't get much sleep at night. I've been a night owl ever since. I went through a time where I did speed/meth to stay up all night so I didn't have to worry about fighting to fall asleep. that was the first sign for me, I was always fighting to go to sleep. My mind just didn't seem to want to shut off. so, I had read never to stay in bed when you can't sleep after about 15 minutes....to do something relaxing, like read, or take a bath, or watch tv. but don't stay in bed. your not supposed to associate your bed with anything else but sleep. nothing helped me, even did a sleep study. I only slept 4 hours so they could only come to the conclusion that I had insomnia....gee, ya think!! well, I can only sleep with the help of prescribed meds now. good luck!!