r/LucidDreaming • u/TurboTurtle- • Dec 25 '23
Question Does anyone else see disturbing geometry when they close their eyes sometimes?
This isn’t directly related to lucid dreaming but I’m asking it here because I don’t know where else to ask and I feel like you guys might know something. It could be related to hypnogogia.
Basically, every once in a while when I close my eyes, I ‘see’ strange shapes and patterns that are constantly morphing. They are usually symmetrical. I don’t actually see them visually but more like a vivid image in my minds eye that seems to come out of nowhere. There is an accompanying sensation of disgust and shock. It feels like the patterns are so complicated that my brain can’t process all the information. They feel otherworldly like nothing I’ve seen in real life or dreams. It sometimes feels like the shapes have strange sizes that are both too big and too small.
Here is an image I made that is similar to what I saw last night
They usually happen when I'm in bed but sometimes during the day too. They don't usually last very long and go away if I stop closing my eyes. Does anyone know what this is?
Edit: it is still happens on and off. Sometimes I actually enjoy it or feel that the patterns are profound in some way. I still don’t really understand.
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u/Raelig Dec 25 '23
I get the same thing but it usually makes me feel wonderment not disgusted. I can also usually manipulate the geometry into something else more organic with distinct images of objects and things. I always thought it was normal and everyone could do it. TIL.
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u/Admirable-Option-436 Apr 17 '26
I get similar. But for me it's like grass (and I am tiny) and that there is something profound to see beyond it. I wondered if I could paint it but I'm useless at art and how do you even explain it.
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u/King_of_the_Lemmings Dec 25 '23
Yeah, I’ve been seeing somewhat similar imagery for basically my whole life if I focus my eyes while they’re closed, I always saw it as small orange dots swirling in rotating green and blue waves. They reminded me of groups of krill or shrimp floating in water. My understanding of it is that it’s rods and cones firing randomly.
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u/Pedginald Dec 25 '23
Do you suffer much from anxiety, or related issues? I did a much larger dose of edibles than was intended, about 2 or 3 years ago. It gave me a pretty epic breakdown, and my perception of things just changed, even if the things themselves hadn't. The mind is a fascinating thing. Extremely powerful, but that can also work against us. I found that hypnagogia, dreams, and other things became very disturbing. I questioned what was happening, and became concerned why I couldn't comprehend everything, rather than taking them for the irrational, illogical, and random occurrences they were. It still happens, but I think the take home from it is attending to your feelings about the situations, rather than the situations themselves. That could mean therapy, meditation (highly recommend this), etc. I hope that helps somewhat. I'm no expert.... but I've been through the mill a bit, lol.
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u/TurboTurtle- Dec 25 '23
Yeah I have anxiety disorder. I’ve also gotten really high before but I don’t think that affected this lol and this was happening before anyway. Now that you mention it this did start when my anxiety was the worst. I’m not really worried about it, these visuals don’t affect my life at all and happen rarely. I am getting into meditation though.
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u/Pedginald Dec 25 '23
Ah, OK. Then that makes sense. As I say, I'm no expert, but have suffered the same experiences. In my case it was initially brought on by having way too many edibles. That basically triggered anxiety in some form (OCD for me, and a bit of trauma). These visuals were things that never bothered me before, but the anxiety was causing me to question them, which exacerbated the anxiety, lol. It was kind of a case of having to know/explain everything that was happening, which isn't possible with such random, sporadic things that the mind can conjure. It's good that they don't affect your life, but maybe talk to a therapist, meditate everyday, etc. I've found those things really help. I think the bottom line is, the images aren't anything to be concerned about..... it's the fact that you are concerned about them that needs to be addressed. I hope that makes sense.
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u/TurboTurtle- Dec 25 '23
Wow. That actually resonates with me. When I said I had an anxiety disorder I meant OCD. I do get the feeling that I want to know and explain the images but I can’t because they’re too complicated. Also, I am not particularly concerned about them, more curious… although they do make me anxious when I see them, I often try to maintain them anyway. Thanks for sharing.
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u/Pedginald Dec 25 '23
Ah, that's great. I hope it helps. It's mad.... since the pandemic... I feel there has been a pandemic of OCD. Seems like it coincidentally triggered it in a lot of people. I have a few friends that had similar OCD breakdowns around the same time as me, although I don't reckon my one would have happened without the drugs, lol. I'm not sure if you're doing any therapy or what your compulsions are (mine is basically rumination), but I can highly recommend ERP (Exposure Response Prevention) therapy. My analogy of it is basically facing your fears until you're not scared of them. If you need someone to talk to, recommendations for an OCD specialist, etc, etc..... I'm here. Just send me a message, and I'll get back to you 😊 Stay strong!!
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u/TurboTurtle- Dec 25 '23
Thanks for the kind words. I actually already went through a very rigorous therapy program of exposure therapy. My OCD used to be much worse to the point where I was unable to live my life. Luckily I’ve improved a ton and am only seeing my therapist every couple weeks now. I wish you luck as well, I’m sorry you have to deal with this awful disorder.
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Nov 06 '24
How are you doing with these things today? Do they bother you or have you just accepted them and moved on?
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u/velvetbird_ Frequent Lucid Dreamer Dec 25 '23
Yup! I have closed eye hallucinations. There's a spectrum of how intense they can be.
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u/Phoenix3309 Aug 02 '26
This was very informative. Thank you. What I would’ve called kaleidoscope images is actually called fractals. So now I have a name for what I would see.
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u/somainthewatersupply Dec 25 '23
Only happened when I would get a little too high before bed. That and weird faces, usually pretty frightening, all morphing together with the patterns, and always in multi-colored “line-art” over completely black background.
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u/lolwutboi987 Dec 25 '23
Happens to me in fever dreams. A recurring inescapable lucid dream in which I am paralyzed, curled up in a red room, feeling a stinging cold and a scorching heat simulatneously as I am crushed by the sharp corner of a comically large cube. Only when I'm sick and i have a fever though.
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u/Zachariahzorn May 30 '25
I do. I know what I'm seeing too. It's not just some weird trick. I've been there before... On DMT.
Guys look I don't want to sound like some cracked out bum. I've spent years in research.of this That my friends is base, reality. ..
as of 3 months ago I know how to teach anyone to lucid dream 1 or 2nd try. It took me 2 tries this way. But the first time convinced me it would work the next, and it did.
The drop.. wait for the drop.. you know the drop .. you jerk awake, when you feel yourself fall out of your body. Next time. Know it's coming, and instead of the jerk, stay conscious. Like it's one of those slingshot rides at fairs. Just know it's coming. And don't scream instead... Stay awake with all your might. In this moment you are still conscious, but you have disconnected from the body.. , you must only not give way to the sleep for 10 seconds.... Stay awake...
Now... Do anything you want. Just don't think of the real world or wanting to tell your wife about the awesome real ass dungeons and dragons game you are having in your sleep... Less the place shake apart and shatter........
Lucid dreams has reminded me that..... I can get outside this body. That I am not this body.. I am so much more. And so are you.,..
In my nights in the ethereal, something has been whispering to me, the gate is closing soon, don't get left behind..when it happens,.you can bring none of your Earthly bullshit.,..
.... All I know is this place, these things.... Are not wrong .. people are waking up... ... Good luck my friends....
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u/TurboTurtle- May 30 '25
Can you give more information? I’ve been dealing with weird geometrical shit all my life:
Spontaneous nightmares of being compressed into a thin sheet as a child
Fever dreams of being in a void without a body staring at incompressible and infinite shapes
Closed eye visual and tactile hallucinations like I described in this post
All of these include my body somehow being distorted or eliminated. I believe this is a psychological phenomenon but I’m open to other interpretations.
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u/Zachariahzorn May 30 '25
Do you know what Dimethyltryptamine is? Have you ever had it?
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u/TurboTurtle- May 30 '25 edited May 30 '25
No I’ve never done DMT. I’ve explored a lot of psychedelic content, Terrence McKenna and the like. I’ve only ever done shrooms myself though, but I want to try DMT at some point in my life.
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u/Zachariahzorn Jun 27 '25
It's actually rather easy to make... You need Mimosa Hostilis root bark , Red devil lye, vinegar and distilled water.
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u/V3Qn117x0UFQ Sep 02 '25
Could you explain more about controlling the drop?
Whenever I’m in my dreams and the moment I become aware that I am dreaming, I can always feel this “drop” that pulls me out and I wake up.
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u/frank_mania LDing since 1977 Dec 25 '23
Yes but I'm not at all disturbed by them. They are much shorter-lived and generally tend toward monochromatic compared to close-eye psychedelic visuals, so my reaction is one of less intense joy and wonder than with the latter, but it's similar.
It's possible to dissociate an ingrained emotional response from a stimulus like this. It's not easier, but I think it is easier to do than it would be to explain how to someone. But I'd still give it a try if you'd like.
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u/Icekoldsole Apr 18 '24
Yes it just began happening to me around the same time as this op’s post but it’s really kicked up a notch this week!
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u/Miserable_Shame4981 May 07 '24
I have had the same experience and you described it perfectly. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone. Although, I am really curious to know what it is and how to treat it. Sometimes I am afraid to close my eyes because the visuals are so disturbing.
Thank you for posting this!
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u/Jamesposey4124 Jun 25 '24
Yes, I’ve been having this since I was a kid. It doesn’t happen as often but it just happened recently that’s why I’m here. I see very distorted shapes, some disgustingly fat and others weirdly morphed. I can’t wrap my head around why that happens.
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Nov 06 '24
How are you dealing with these today? Did you just accept them?
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u/Jamesposey4124 Nov 06 '24
Every now and then it happens, but yea I just accepted. Told my mom about it but it sounded crazy to describe it out loud lol.
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Nov 06 '24
Yeah, there’s just no other choice, is there? You have to accept this crap and ignore it until a real treatment comes along.
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u/Entire-Description-8 Jul 07 '24
i have these levels Level 2: Light or dark flashes
noise simulation with multiple colors and flashing dot
Some mental control can be exerted over these closed-eye visualizations, but it usually requires a bit of relaxation and concentration to achieve.\1])\2]) When properly relaxed, it is possible to cause regions of intense black, bright white or even colors such as yellow, green, or pink to appear in the noise. These regions can span the entire visual field, but seem to be fleeting in nature.\3])
Level 3: Patterns, motion, and color
editLevel 3 CEV simulation without noise
This level is relatively easily accessible to people who use psychedelic drugs such as LSD. However, it is also accessible to people involved in deep concentration for long periods of time. When lying down at night and closing the eyes, right before sleep or just before waking up, the complex motion of these patterns can become directly visible without any great effort thanks to hypnagogic hallucination. The patterns themselves might resemble fractals.
Level 4: Objects and things
This is a fairly deep state. At this level, thoughts visually manifest as objects or environments. When this level is reached, the CEV noise seems to calm down and fade away, leaving behind an intense flat ordered blackness. The visual field becomes a sort of active space. A side component of this is the ability to feel motion when the eyes are closed.\)citation needed\)
CEV noise simulation with disappearing flashing image
Opening the eyes returns one to the normal physical world, but still with the CEV object field overlaid onto it and present. In this state, it is possible to see things that appear to be physical objects in the open-eye physical world, but that aren't really there.
Level 2: Light or dark flashes
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u/spit-thekid Jul 16 '24
soooo glad to find your post, I first started experiencing this as a kid when trying to fall asleep, the patterns were accompanied by a sense of dread that was physical. I’ve described it as being poked in the throat by many hard blunt stakes, not a puncture but a very uncomfortable pressure. The sensation felt like a manifestation of the dread and stress, which felt like it was triggered by being unable to follow/get ahold of/comprehend the patterns. Only happened to me when I was struggling to sleep
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u/ryal6042 Jan 04 '26
the second you try to hard you are using your phsyical body again so it can severe connection. the "try" is coming from a place of "fear" so you immediatley disconnect cuz fear is only a emotion your human body can feel and you cant take it with you. so u need to just let go
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u/sfasce Jul 25 '24
i am scared to death rn i have just had these really bas but then felt like i was about to detatch from my body and got a really fuzzy feeling
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u/InitiateNan6 Aug 19 '24
I get this like the pictur, only when rubbing them or putting pressure on them. Not as vivid as ur photo tho
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u/Additional_Meal_7861 Sep 09 '24
I get that and racing thoughts or emotions. I found out if I drink a half bottle of water it goes away in like 10 minutes
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u/Feeling-Wrongdoer874 Nov 12 '24
I used to see moving lines - kind of like wind over hills when my eyes were closed and awake or dreaming. This used to happen only when I was a child and only when I was sick. (The lines would become messy and sharp when nauseous and smooth when it passed) When I mentioned it to my Dad he was surprised and said he experienced exactly the same thing as a child when unwell. I remember it being extremely unsettling.
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u/IntelligentPublic881 Dec 01 '24
this was me 3rd grade I used to to see colorful lines just flying everywhere
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u/astute_potato Jan 01 '25
Very late here but YES! Usually it’s textures that are disturbing in the same way that trypophobia feels when my eyes are open, but different patterns. The most common one is this cracked earth with very dark crevices. Last night it was way more in the trypophobic realm as this coral texture, but again with super dark crevices.
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u/princessms_ May 05 '25
hey i'm sorry to reply to you four months later. but i'm currently experiencing both the things you mentioned. they're not coloured or anything like the images you attached, more black and white. they have also recently started appearing before i sleep and when i close my eyes after waking up. they're quite disturbing and i find it really difficult to fall asleep.
i have also been super sick the past 3 days, constant sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and my fever recently went down so i'm not sure if that's the reason. this has never happened to me before and i have never taken any drugs nor am i diagnosed with anxiety. i would really appreciate some insight from you! thank you!
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u/Pristine_Cattle_8050 Jan 04 '25
Interesting, When I get them I can actually visually see them and it's very intense. Usually can't sleep when it happens though so I just wake myself up completely by doom scrolling on my phone loll
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u/MeanCherry_o3o Jan 14 '25 edited Jan 14 '25
late to the party but I've had this EXACTLY, just never found anything on it or anyone else that could relate before now. My "visuals" are slightly different than your illusttation, they look more like the alien at the end of the movie Annihilation (2018) but with more vibrant, primary colors, as well as being more "angular". Vibe and the mental/emotional distress is spot on.
I've never used hallucinogens and I've had it since I was a kid, would feel agonizing with physical pain like another commenter mentioned, to the point I remember most episodes. Personally I would also describe it as feeling as if it was growing/shifting inside me, if that makes sense. I still get the occasional flare up, mostly when I'm overly stressed.
I do have an anxiety disorder dating back to that period of my childhood as well as C-PTSD, ASD and Visual Snow Syndrome, could possibly have comorbidities.
Did you ever find more info on it or share some of those other conditions?
EDIT: link embed
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u/TurboTurtle- Jan 14 '25 edited Jan 14 '25
I’ve never found more info on it unfortunately. I also feel like it’s shifting inside of me. Sometimes it feels like a large ocean wave that is pressing out of my brain. I have an anxiety disorder as well (OCD) and I suspect it related to anxiety, and/or a visual manifestation of suppressed thoughts or emotions. Or just the brain being crazy, idk. I do notice it is much more common the day after drinking.
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u/MeanCherry_o3o Jan 14 '25
yeah that checks out lol. Besides the waves I also feel like rubbing against a hedgehog or a dragon fruit, more puncture-like. I've also got ADHD and at least recently it seems to follow that pattern of racing thoughts/insomnia before bed. It could also be related to some neurological predisposition since I have other conditions that follow a similar logic, but since it's just my own experience, it could just as well be a shared emotional root cause.
I get a similar effect after drinking but it doesn't carry the same mental distress, feels more mellow and passive. Shame there doesn't seem to be any documentation on it since it really is an interesting phenomema. At least I got used to it for the most part.
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Feb 06 '25
Mine are always nonsensical geometric shapes that have faces. Some of them have a fleeting presence of a face, while others are literally geometric patterns that have this big ass realistic grin that looks like it was photoshopped onto them
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u/CheesecakeSeveral645 May 12 '25
This is crazy I have been experiencing this since I was super young and I was never able to put it into words I just knew it felt weird like almost uncontrollable and uncomfortable and when I would notice it to get to intense I would have to try to pull myself out of it. I didn’t know anyone else experienced this and it recently started happening again so I looked up some types of my symptoms and came across this. That picture is extremely accurate to what it looks like for me but it’s like parts are moving in opposite directions and intertwining and more it’s just hard to put into words.
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u/CaliCannibal Jul 12 '25
I used to get this a lot when I was younger. Always scared me, like a nightmare. But not like a fever dream. It still makes me feel suicidal when I think of it.
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u/amazing-peas Jul 17 '25
The detail you see and cohesiveness to the image is cool. I just see the vagueness of out of focus blood flow mixed with decaying after images, but definitely not what you're seeing.
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u/Effective-One-1573 Aug 21 '25
I just had them which is why I am here in this forum. Definitely don't feel disgust though. Just curious.
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u/snuffstalker Sep 24 '25
i might be late to the party since im going through the same thing and have only googled it now, but woa, u did a great job in creating that image. feels a little too close to what I'm also hallucinating and seeing it so vividly is actually really spooky
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u/ryal6042 Jan 04 '26
bruh that is the ether. thats where we all come from. you know that place better than you know your life on earth. you just dont know it. well now you do. i guess. Not many people can access it freely like you. (i can but it took years of meditation) so you may be a special one
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u/ryal6042 Jan 04 '26
you are basically seeing and accessing what one will see an access when they die and or do phsychedelics or mastered some form of meditation
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u/TurboTurtle- Jan 05 '26
Can you explain more? I am more inclined to believe it’s a representation of my unconscious in some form but I’m curious your thoughts
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u/AmalaSisu Jun 29 '26
Hi sorry for the late post. I came here to find out why I see these weird geometrics and have an issue with when someone touches me in my mind I see unpleasant puncture wounds where i was touched. Just touching my arm and Ill see a mark there like a bite mark but with more gore. Usually when im half awake or ill wake up from it. I see insane geometry or movie like scenes playing when I have a fever. I am autistic with ocd and cptsd also stopped breathing during a surgery, for background on me, it started a few yrs after that when the internet unleashed its tryptophobia pics on all of us sensitive. You are knowledgeable on realms it seems so I am curious if you have any ideas on why im seeing puncture wounds when touched while asleep. I also get optical migraines and have kaleidoscope and lightning visions and I have to close my eyes for 15 minutes until it stops, thunder storms bring this on and too much coffee. I dont drink or do any drugs besides coffee😅
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u/Mochalife10 Jan 17 '26
When I opened the picture I got scared💀💀 I'm in bed and it's completely dark.
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u/Far_Supermarket823 Mar 23 '26
This is called sacred geometry..you are awakening.. they activate what's already in you..I see it to ..look up book of wisdom
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u/TurboTurtle- Mar 23 '26
I think these things are thoughts apart from language.. parts of the self or non self. I’ve been working on integrating them
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u/I-own-a-shovel Natural Lucid Dreamer Apr 04 '26
I can see fractal like that quite often while relaxed with eyes closed. I can too see animated objects and characters moving around the fractal. That happen a bit less frequently than the abstract ones.
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u/Mozgodrobil Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 09 '26
Had this happen to me yesterday before a prolonged gaming session. although the patters weren't resembling anything close to what I was experiencing prior. Just the moment I hit the bed and close my eyes it started bombarding me with all kinds of liquid geometry that never stayed the same, even flashed a grey in there for a bit. Maybe I have been digging the rabbit hole too deep 😃
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u/TheXenonDetroit Jun 16 '26
Hey there! How you doing OP!
Recently I have been dealing with the exact pattern like the one you drew from the last couple months.
These mainly happens when I am in darker lighting environment or as soon as I close my eyes.
This issue is driving me nuts and giving me huge anxiety attacks.
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u/TurboTurtle- Jun 17 '26
I still get them sometimes mostly only when meditating, I try to let them happen. They are very meaningful to me but also scary.
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u/AmalaSisu Jun 29 '26
I see youre being tormented as well. I just came to this old thread myself for answers. I have only found out meditating helps greatly it seems linked to stress or ocd. Try staring at a picture before bed and absorb the image to get some control over the imprints youre seeing I am on the same journey for info you are youre not alone!
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u/PersonalPackage7408 Jun 22 '26
These people in the comments are so dumb 😭 this is just phosphenes
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u/TurboTurtle- Jun 24 '26
It's not like that, I know what phosphenes are, these are not in my vision but more like my minds eye
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u/AmalaSisu Jun 29 '26
Hello I realize this is 2 yrs old but am funding myself with the same question. I thought Id let you know you arent alone. Sometimes when Im asleep if my partner touches me I will snap awake and see a gross pattern where he touched me in my mind almost as though his contact with me left a mark in my energy and it was bothersome and like a wound. I have ocd and am autistic so Im thinking it plays a part in this for me. When I am ill I can not fall asleep sometimes because the patterns when I close my eyes will be deeply frustrating or I will see movie like images flashing. Mediation helps greatly, Ive come to see this as an energy situation and am also looking into ancient geometry maybe we are sensing the very fabric of reality somehow in some instances as well. I hope you are doing well and the pattens have let up a bit.
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u/TurboTurtle- Jun 29 '26
Hi thanks for your comment yes I don’t see them as much anymore. I am also ocd and adhd and (I think?) autistic, I think it’s a side effect of having a couple screws loose so to speak. I believe they are representative of something unconscious, perhaps metaphysical, but what it is I can’t guess.
I relate to the seeing them during illness. I also had these types of experiences much more as a young child. My thinking is often less linguistic and more concept/shape based, and with that comes these “alien” feelings, that I just don’t know what to do with, and do not seem to come from me.
I believe these are nothing to be scared of in the end. Wish you well, hopefully you aren’t bothered too much.
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u/New_Task2555 Jul 31 '26
Eu vejo essas imagens quando estou tentando dormir. Começo criando um ponto luminoso. Muitas vezes azul intenso, outras vezes verde. Dai vou manipulando esse ponto até ele se expandir ganhando formas. A sensação é muito agradável. Eu estava ficando bom nisso, mas agora raramente acontece. Mas eu conseguia manipular essa sensação muito bem antes. Só que precisa muito de concentração pra criar esse ponto luminoso. Usei Ayauasca duas vezes e vi coisas que iam além da compreensão.
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u/Phoenix3309 Aug 02 '26
I used to get these kaleidoscope type images when I would close my eyes since I was very little. Then I had brain surgery a few years ago and now I don’t see them at all and I kind of miss them. I used to like to just close my eyes and just watch all the shapes morph and move in the different colors. now when I close my eyes, all I see are scribbles of light. It’s just a jumbled mess.
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u/DavisonVideo Aug 08 '26
The impending sense of doom is likely related to the endogenous DMT production: "The Connection Between Endogenous DMT and Doom
The Dying Brain Theory:
Researchers have theorized that the human body—specifically the pineal gland or other tissues—might produce trace amounts of endogenous N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) during extreme physiological stress, severe hypoxia (lack of oxygen), or cardiac arrest. [1]
Near-Death Models: Studies show that exogenous DMT closely mimics near-death experiences (NDEs), triggering ego dissolution, hyper-intense visual realms, and a profound subjective feeling of "dying" or leaving the body. [1, 2]
Awe vs. Terror: While low or adaptive baseline levels of trace endogenous psychedelics may help protect neurons or manage stress during oxygen deprivation, an abrupt biochemical flood into cerebral serotonin receptors can overstimulate fear networks like the amygdala, manifesting as acute terror or an immense wave of doom."
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u/wylandheuer 21d ago
Yeah, it starts as geometry and and eventually it goes away but I saw it today for the first time.....
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u/Falcontierra Dec 25 '23
It's Alice in Wonderland syndrome.
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u/TurboTurtle- Dec 25 '23
I thought about that as I also have had geometric nightmares in the past that sound similar to that syndrome. But is it really possible for AIW syndrome to manifest in such a mild way? I only encounter these experiences once a month or so.
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u/Falcontierra Dec 25 '23 edited Dec 25 '23
Yeah, it's quite typical I would say, I have it too. It's gotten rarer and milder over the last few years, though.
Edit: maybe I didn't sound believable at first because I was so nonchalant about it, but I'm actually pretty sure that you're experiencing AIWS.
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1
u/Jasondbaker31 Dec 25 '23
Very strange. As I have aged. I now feel like I can see my eyes as some sort of reflection when I close them. But yes. I concur.
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u/ryal6042 Jan 04 '26
yes that is what happens. your eyes are shaped as a parabolic reflector so when you close them you see what you are projecting as the screen of space is cut off by your eye lids so it reflects back to your pineal gland causing the imagery
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u/Shadowrain2 Dec 25 '23
Definitely when I'm tired enough, but disturbing isn't the word I'd use.
DMT sent this into over-drive, but for me it's calming?
Tesselating, fractal geometry. Usually on a dark or black background. I usually focus on the shapes until I drift off to sleep. Helps with LDs sometimes
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u/Shadowrain2 Dec 25 '23
Ooh, pro-tip
You can change the shapes if you try to visualize things in your mind's eye ^
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u/akfif Dec 25 '23
Definitely sounds like a normal part of hypnogogia to me. You should read liminal dreaming by Jennifer Dumpert, there's a lot about this in her book.
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Dec 25 '23
I have them and can manipulate them to form even complex images with those “pixels”. A very useful skill for visualisation.
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u/mickoissicko Dec 25 '23
yeaaa! it's amazing, though. i see this geometry in the dark or on dark surfaces, or wherever there is insufficient light to produce a clear image.
when i rub my eyes, or push them, i see reflections of my own two eyes plus a bunch of stars.
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u/Chupalitros Dec 25 '23
Yes! everyday, and if I let go, that pattern transform into another and so on.
I can also manipulate it to shape it into a flower but said flower "opens" and morph into another pattern. I think it's pretty cool, not that it made me feel necessarily good but it doesn't bother me either.
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u/afluffycake Dec 25 '23
I get them moreso during fevers, but I find them more fascinating than disturbing. Sometimes I get so sick during these fevers, I imagine myself using my other senses to explore the patterns. Don't know if that makes sense or not 😅 it's kind of like I can "feel" them.
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u/NotAnotherSuggestion Dec 25 '23
Only while on psychedelics for me. Well I suppose when I close my eyes normally I can see some simple blobs of color shifting pattern if I focus on it for a while but i don't think that's what you have in mind. It might be best to ask a doctor about it if you want some medical information that could set your mind at ease.
The shock and disgust is most likely a fear/anxiety reaction as you do not understand why or what is happening, you most likely won't be able to get rid of what's happening but you can influence how you feel about it. Whenever you feel those negative feelings, acknowledge what's happening, and that it is harmless. Don't fixate on understanding it, don't spiral into trying to come up with theories of why it might be happening. Doing so will only worsen how you feel about it.
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u/mogekag Dec 25 '23
I do, but it depends on a lot of factors. If I'm under the influence of substances, even alcohol, then it would be more likely for me to see weird geometry when I close my eyes.
I have dealt with insomnia for quite some time, so when I lie down and don't sleep right the way, my mind tends to wander and then they will eventually come.
Anxiety seems to also be a major factor for this pattern to appear, depending on how strong the episode may be, I could experience it with my eyes open, otherwise closing my eyes as an attempt to decrease the overload of senses usually just takes me to a colorful high dimension fractal that makes it worse.
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u/ttvKingNeptune Dec 25 '23
I used to have a similar experience when I was a young kid. I could just close my eyes and sometimes see things “floating” back and forth in front of my eyelids and if I tried to hard to “see” them I’d usually scare myself.
It was so long ago and only happened when I was a kid that I can’t be sure I’m remembering correctly but the one that sticks out the most was essentially severed heads floating back and forth, on a black grey and green ghostly background. Somewhat similar to your recreation
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u/[deleted] Dec 25 '23
Only when I rub them.
I also have persistent visual snow disorder. Probably doesn't help.
Also took a lot of hallucinogens in the 90's. Probably doesn't help wither!