This only happened once. It was last night, actually, but it was so bizarre.

I was having a nightmare, nothing abnormal. When I died in the dream, however, I had a transition from sleep to alertness like no other. It felt slow but fast at the same time, my vision was coming to me slowly, and there was a cold feeling around my head that I've never felt before. Despite never feeling the cold before, it felt like it was trying to pull me into it a second time, trying to be inviting. It felt so welcoming, it felt like it was trying to pull me into it and make me part of it. It felt familiar, and I almost wanted to accept the invitations it seemed to be sending to me. (Probably would have if I wasn't waking up in such a weird way.) When I fully woke up, the feeling lingered slight, but it was no longer cold. Then it was gone, and I was left feeling more alert and awake than I have in weeks.

I don't do drugs, drink, etc. Anybody think they can tell me what happened?

(Sorry if the Other Science category is not the place to put this, I have no idea what category this falls under, though.)

No one dies in a dream state. What would be the point of having the ability to dream? Dreaming is an escape hatch for us, a release from everyday junk, a refreshing ability at times mirroring something that happened during your day, maybe something that you didn't realize bothering you at the time. I can't tell you what your dream experience means, but you need to think back over your previous day for an answer.

Check for drafts if you woke up feeling cold. AC on too high. We do not and cannot interpret dreams but the answer always lies in your subconscious.

by the way, the only time we remember a dream is when we wake up having it.