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A quick google later...
Recent evidence from neuroimaging studies during REM shows that the amygdala and several related limbic structures in the brain - the centre of our emotional being - are active during REM sleep. These structures are associated with instinctual responses, including fear, and what is called the 'threat-activated vigilance system'. This is thought to be activated by subtle cues for threat, which the system then attempts to corroborate by searching for further cues for danger. Such cues are especially active during anxiety dreams and nightmares and probably stimulate unpleasant memories, including culturally conventional images of threat, such as ghosts and aliens.
'The fear of undetected threat is exacerbated because the person is awake, paralysed and usually in a helpless, supine position,' says Dr Cheyne. 'These are hardly circumstances to generate pleasant hallucinations. This throws up ghostly images. The conventional Grim Reaper and other hooded figures are popular - some people have even seen Darth Vadar.'
From here
It suggests that sleep depravation, shift work, and sleeping on your back are often to blame. You sleeping on your back Runce? |
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Not that I'm not sympathetic, but crazy shit like that fascinates me but rarely happens. When it does I always feel somewhat detached, like I'm watching a video already- thus no dread, just interest and sometimes feeling a bit creepy. P'raps attempting to lucid dream might help? just a thought.