Last night I felt like something was watching me and it woke me out o a dead sleep at 3 am?

I felt like something was literally flipping through my thoughts. It was like too many people were in my head. I really don't know any other way to explain the feeling. I'm not crazy or doing drugs and this has never happened before. I never felt scared, I felt like whatever was there was curious. I told my friend about it when I woke up and was told that something similar happened before but she felt a huge pressure on her chest in the middle of the night. That it woke her up and she was growling. She was growling not whatever it was. She said it really scared her and made her feel very primal. I didn't know this til I told her this morning. What is this? Anyone have experience with this? I said a prayer for protection soon after my thoughts were being flipped through, and immediately felt alone again. What happened last night? Also I don't know if it's related but I feel really sick today. Please don't be mean in response, I just want to know if my experience has happened to anyone else or if I'm alone. Thanks