Hypnagogia or hypnagogic hallucinations is a phenomenon that occurs prior to sleep onset, and is characteristic for sleep disorder known as sleep paralysis.
If the same happens upon arousal from sleep, is known as hypnopompia or hypnopompic hallucinations.
If indeed, you are experiencing hypnagogic hallucinations, means that before falling asleep you are going through a brief episode of inability to move,speak or cry out, accompanied with different hallucinations.
You can experience body hallucinations like waves, vibrations and tremors.
Acoustic hallucinations (high-pitched ringing, loud or irritating noises) can range from primitive noises to speech and music.


If this happens after you have been sleeping for few hours and wakes you up in a state of panic with pounding heart, and if you don't recall the dream, is most likely a night terror.

When this happens exactly (which phase of your night sleep 1-3 a.m. or 4-6 a.m., or when falling asleep)?
Do you recall the dream after waking up?

Yes, I remember the dreams, and as I think about them and get over the fear or anger then I realize I'm hearing the banging or thumping. By this point, I believe I'm fully awake. The first time I noticed this banging though was I'd hear one loud bang just as I fell asleep, which my husband, who was awake, didn't hear. I am sleepy just about all the time, and take naps, and there is no set time when it occurs. It has happened after being asleep a couple of hours, or all night, or after a nap. It didn't happen for a long time, as I avoided anything that causes nightmares. My 97 year old mother lives with us, and was recently diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, however, and the dreams have started again.