Väärämasannus

Väärämasannus is a Finnish term that translates to "false awakening" in English. It refers to a phenomenon experienced during sleep where an individual believes they have woken up, only to realize later that they are still dreaming. This can occur multiple times within a single dream sequence, creating a confusing and often disorienting experience.

The sensation of false awakening can be very vivid and indistinguishable from actual waking. People may feel themselves getting out of bed, performing morning routines, or interacting with others, all while remaining asleep. The realization that it was a dream often comes when the individual eventually does wake up, or sometimes within the dream itself if a clear contradiction or impossibility arises.

False awakenings are closely associated with lucid dreaming, where the dreamer is aware they are dreaming. In some cases, a false awakening can be the trigger for becoming lucid. However, they can also occur in non-lucid dreams, causing distress or confusion. The exact neurological mechanisms behind false awakenings are not fully understood but are thought to involve disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle and consciousness regulation. While not considered a disorder, frequent or disturbing false awakenings can impact sleep quality for some individuals.