Admittedly, lucid dreaming sounds a bit wild. However, it means nothing other than that the person sleeping is aware that they are asleep and dreaming. This is why this phenomenon is also called ‘lucid dreaming’. Almost everyone experiences one or more of these special dreams in the course of their lives, in which they can control their own actions and are always aware that none of it corresponds to reality.
But how exactly can you recognise lucid dreams? And can lucid dreaming be learnt in any way? You can find out all this and much more from billerbeck, your sleep experts.
What is lucid dreaming?
In lucid dreams, the sleeper not only knows that they are dreaming, they can also actively and consciously steer the dream in one direction or another. During sleep, not only can certain decisions be made at will, but people can also be added to or removed from the dream.
There are a number of basic criteria that a lucid dream must fulfil in order to be considered as such. In addition to the fact that the dreamer must be aware of their state, they must also be able to actively intervene in the events of the dream and influence them. Furthermore, one should still be aware of the dream, even if one has already woken up. In sleep and dream research, even more criteria are cited that define lucid dreams even more precisely and finely.
When do lucid dreams occur?
In the phase of REM sleep characterised by rapid eye movements, we usually dream and so naturally most lucid dreams occur in this phase of night sleep, as studies have shown. But how exactly has this been proven? Sleep researchers set test subjects the task of not only incorporating certain actions into the lucid dream during lucid dreaming, but also performing eye movements specified by the researchers. The test subjects succeeded in doing both.
The studies also revealed that different parts of the brain are used during lucid dreaming than during conventional dreaming. In particular, the prefrontal cortex, which in a waking state is responsible for, among other things, the judgement of events and for actions appropriate to the circumstances, is active during lucid dreaming – along with other areas of the brain.
Can lucid dreaming be learnt?
It is possible to learn lucid dreaming. There are various methods that can normally be used for this. The best-known techniques are certainly Dream Initiated Lucid Dreaming – known as DILD for short – and Wake Initiated Lucid Dreaming or WILD.
- Lucid dreaming with the DILD technique
The DILD technique works with a so-called reality check, i.e. an active self-inquiry as to whether you are currently awake or asleep. This should be consciously applied several times while awake, for example with the question: ‘Am I awake or am I dreaming at the moment?’ By using this reality enquiry while awake, it is stored in the brain and can be recalled during sleep. This allows the sleeping person to recognise that they are dreaming and then actively intervene in what is happening.
- Lucid dreaming with the WILD technique
The WILD technique, on the other hand, utilises the phase of wakefulness shortly before falling asleep. You internalise this state of wakefulness and at the same time visualise that you will soon be asleep so that, in the best case scenario, you can enter lucid dreams immediately after falling asleep. This technique not only sounds more complicated, it is also much more difficult to learn than the DILD method.
Another aid to learning lucid dreaming can be the use of a sleep diary, in which you write down your experiences during sleep over a certain period of time and thus create a connection between your dreams and reality.
Is lucid dreaming dangerous?
Lucid dreams are not usually dangerous or harmful in any way. In fact, they may even be quite beneficial. In psychotherapy, lucid dreams are seen as a way to help those who suffer from severe nightmares. In sports science, too, lucid dreaming is seen as having potential, as it may make it possible to train for sports by consciously performing certain exercises while sleeping.
