Research Question: Am I dreaming?

Background Information:

I have woken up in a strange forest. The plants and animals are alien and there appears to be a glow overlaying most things.

I have found respite in a hidden cave beneath some underbrush.

The place is well hidden, and the entrance is small enough that the larger beasts will not be able to follow me inside.

There is a small stream inside the cave.

Hypothesis:

I am dreaming or experiencing some form of altered consciousness.

Variables:

During sleep or altered states, it is expected that short term memory and visual effects are common.

It’s not good science, but I guess I am the variable here.

Control Of Variables:

I have an intrinsic lack of control here.

Materials:

Me.

Methods:

In order to determine if my current experiences are real, I will be using common methods to determine my conscious state.

These include looking for discrepancies in my environment that are in flux.

Data:

Test

Result

Counting fingers

10, same as expected. Physical appearance also as expected.

Counting fingers(again)

10, same as expected, and same as previous

Reading

Words appear legible, do not float

Re-reading

Words are identical and have not changed

Forced awakening

Nothing

Self administer waking shock

Nothing, Face hurts

Attempt double jump

In air slightly longer than expected

Retry double jump

Not imagining it, gravity seems slightly less

Analysis/Processed Data:

I do not appear to be sleeping.

This does not rule out all options, but it would probably be best to treat this as reality for the time being.

Further Research Topics:

The soft glow I mentioned earlier and the discrepancy in gravity will need to be further explored.

I shall have to shelve the current questions of how I arrived here and focus on survival.

Knowledge is safety.