Hallucinations

[PassionSpirit]

One of my relatives said she was experiencing hallucinations over the weekend. She said she saw devils and evil people and she believes that the medicine/dosage the doctor prescribed for her was too strong, as her heart was also beating very fast and she was sweating. She said that she would see these devils/evil people as soon as she closed her eyes. Does it still count as a hallucination? If not, what is the word for it? THe Oxford dictionary describes the word "Hallucination" as 'an illusion of seeing or hearing something.' I thought hallucination was when you are seeing these things with your eyes open.
By the way, is it possible to hallucinate about real people that you've never seen? A friend of mine said years ago, just before the Commodores came out...he had a stroke and during this stroke, he hallucinated. He saw the Commodores spinning on top the turntable. Sounds weird but I believe him, as my friend isn't the kind of person to lie about things like that.

[Jennings]

Your friend should Google for the side-effects of the medication she is receiving. There may be an element of narcolepsy involved here. Dreams are often populated by people one has never met so why not in hallucinating? At my stage to life I am tempted to say who are the Commodores but I do not see any problem at accepting what your friend saw.

[PassionSpirit]

That's a good idea, thanks

The Commodores was an American music group from the 70s-80s, but they are no longer together. The lead singer is Lionel Richie, who is now a solo artiste (and one of my faves if I may add )

The thing is, he had no idea what the Commodores looked like at that time, no idea whatsover...but later recognised the group as the men that were in his hallucination. Sounds crazy I know

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by PassionSpirit

One of my relatives said she was experiencing hallucinations over the weekend. She said she saw devils and evil people and she believes that the medicine/dosage the doctor prescribed for her was too strong, as her heart was also beating very fast and she was sweating. She said that she would see these devils/evil people as soon as she closed her eyes. Does it still count as a hallucination? If not, what is the word for it? THe Oxford dictionary describes the word "Hallucination" as 'an illusion of seeing or hearing something.' I thought hallucination was when you are seeing these things with your eyes open.
By the way, is it possible to hallucinate about real people that you've never seen? A friend of mine said years ago, just before the Commodores came out...he had a stroke and during this stroke, he hallucinated. He saw the Commodores spinning on top the turntable. Sounds weird but I believe him, as my friend isn't the kind of person to lie about things like that.

Hi passionSpirit,
Some drugs make the dreams very vivid. Some musicians and artistes take psychedelic drugs to get the effects your friend describes. The drugs create an electro-magnetic disturbance in the brain, and the dreams have to be more vivid.
A stroke also disturbs the balanceof the brain. However it would not cause some future event to materialise.

She said that she would see these devils/evil people as soon as she closed her eyes. Does it still count as a hallucination? If not, what is the word for it?

Hypnogogic images may occur before one goes to sleep.
Cheers Wolfjk

[PassionSpirit]

Thanks for your help.

[idgy]

Hello passionspirit
Actually, you do have naturally occurring chemicals in your brain which are the same that are in hallucinogens. When you take any drug that contains these, you are slightly increasing the amount in the brain. Some people can do this naturally without help of a hallucinogen.

Did you know that Francis Crick, the co-discoverer used LSD to boost his mental powers? He was on LSD when he perceived the double helix of DNA.

Do you know if you aunt saw any geometric shapes? Maybe you can ask her?

Who knows, maybe she could see what is really there? Maybe she was tuning into a different wavelength that we cannot normally see? Even though she has her eyes closed, she has an inner eye.

Maybe your friend really did see the Commodores spinning on top of his turntable? Did they sing? Were they any good?

[PassionSpirit]

Did you know that Francis Crick, the co-discoverer used LSD to boost his mental powers? He was on LSD when he perceived the double helix of DNA.

Wow.

Actually, you do have naturally occurring chemicals in your brain which are the same that are in hallucinogens.

I guess it would be possible for people then to induce hallucinations?

She didn't say anything about shapes, but the hallucinating is gone since she stopped taking the medication...

lol...not sure if they sang...he was the middle of a stroke, so possibility he didn't hear...I read somewhere that during a stroke, sometimes you lose your hearing and maybe other senses.

[idgy]

Yes, I think you can induce an altered state of consciousness without taking drugs. Some people fall into it naturally, but shamans could also induce it by rhythmic drumming. Also, from sleep deprivation, dehydration and hyperventilation (which may explain the experience of your friend whilst having a stoke). There are also many natural growing plants than can alter your state of consciousness. Ayahausca, Peyote, Mandrake etc.

Yes, I suppose if you are having a stroke, you’re not really going to be enjoying a mini pop concert by the Commodores.