[gnulinux]

I took Ambien 3 times, started after not being able to sleep for ~3 days (not directly after (I was able to naturally sleep after that day)). First 2 times were ok, didn't seem like I had any side-effects like sleep walking etc. The 3rd time I took, it gave me what I would describe as a psychotic breakdown. From an outer observer, I was sleeping (this was college and all my roomies were in the room, studying, I was "sleeping") but it felt very much like I was awake and there. I was completely dissociated from my own self and felt as if I was a "shoe seller in Venice". Never been in Venice in my life. When I was finally able to control my body after 2 hours of silently screaming, I started muttering about stuff and asked for help. I had no recollection of who I was. When my roomies brought me some water/food everything slowly became normal. I just felt what I would describe very drunk. I didn't feel intoxicated -- as in I could walk etc just fine -- but my mind was very "drunk". Not like a weed "high". After about half an hour, I was feeling alright and went back to sleep because I had an 8am the next day. Never touched Ambien again. The rest of my prescription was used by my roomie who was very into drugs. He never had any problems with it.

[alex_hitchins]

It sounds to me like it's a hyper-real dream in a way.

[gnulinux]

Meh, maybe, but I don't think so because all that 2 hours I never lost consciousness. There was no point in which my memory was "black". I was talking to my roommates, told them I'm going to bed, took Ambien, lied on my bed and suddenly started to feel very confused, forgetful and it "felt" like I'm somewhere else. It wasn't a very visual experience (like psychedelics) but it felt like I was so confused that I wasn't able to comprehend where I am.