Is Lucid Dreaming Real and How does it Work?

Is lucid dreaming real? Yes, people everywhere have been experiencing and recording lucid dreams for thousands of years.

Lucid dreams are dreams in which the dreamers recognize that they are dreaming. The brain allows this recognition without disrupting the sleep cycle.

In this state of conscious dreaming, it is possible for the dreamer to exert control over the plot of the dream. Experienced lucid dreamers claim to be able to travel on intentional journeys; allowing them to visit lost loved ones, possess super-human strength, fly through space or do anything else they desire.

While there is little debate about the reality of this conscious dream activity, there is more debate about the methods that work to reliably induce lucidity in dreams. What are the best ways to bring on lucid dreams and what should you know before you try?

Lucid Dreaming Aids

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How It Works:

• Increases acetylcholine activity for vivid dreams
• Promotes REM sleep stage
• Improves memory of dreams

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How Does Lucid Dreaming Work?

Clinical research on lucid dreaming suggests that it can be a useful therapy for preventing recurring nightmares. Lucid dreaming may also accentuate physical rehabilitation by motor imaging rehearsals during dreaming.

It can also have emotional benefits, ranging from wish fulfilment to visualization to gaining closure from painful memories.

Finally, lucid dreaming may help scientists understand altered states of consciousness and the pathologies associated with them.

During a lucid dream, the dreamer is still sleeping. However, an area of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex gets reactivated. This allows the dreamer to be self-reflective and conscious of the fact that she is dreaming.

When dreamers are aware of their dreams, they can influence the virtual realities generated within their minds.

As a lucid dreamer gains experience and learns to control the dreamstate, he or she can use lucid dreaming as a vehicle for developing internal knowledge, exploring other realms, living out her fantasies and increasing the enjoyment of life.

Expert lucid dreamers say that connecting the consciousness with the unconsciousness creates various powerful benefits. Many report increases in creativity, problem solving and confidence.

Are Lucid Dreaming Supplements Effective?

Understanding how lucid dreaming works requires some knowledge of the neurotransmitters which regulate. Neurotransmitters are chemical signaling substances which accommodate neuronal messages.

There are four neurotransmitters which are associated with influencing lucid dreaming: acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

Lucid dreaming supplements are available which cause slight alterations in the levels of these four brain chemicals.

This is the same approach used in developing novel pharmaceutical therapies for treating conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, ADD (attention deficit disorder) and certain other cognitive and psychological disorders.

Most lucid dreaming aids work by boosting levels of acetylcholine activity in the brain.Acetylcholine is used to accommodate learning, memory, muscular movement and thinking.

It is also responsible for modulating wake and sleep cycles and plays a role in dreams. It seems to help us access our memories while dreaming and may promote more intense, vivid dreams

Research associates increased acetylcholine levels with longer periods of REM sleep. Lucid dreaming supplements which boost acetylcholine are used to induce both WILD (wake induced lucid dreaming) and DILD (dream induced lucid dreaming).

These supplements can include Galantamine and Huperzine A pills, both of which increase cholinergic activity because they are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Lucid dreamers also try to eat a diet rich in choline food sources, such as eggs, meats, fish and broccoli. You can also use choline supplements like Alpha GPC and Citicoline, which increase the synthesis of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter.

Controlling Lucid Dreams

In order to be able to control your lucid dream, the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine are important. Both are involved in executive function, which is important for being able to direct focus and plays a role in sustaining conscious attention.

In the brain, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) is involved in alertness, concentration and focus. Like acetylcholine, it can be beneficial for both WILD and DILD.

Norepinephrine helps a dreamer to connect memories between waking and dream states. This is helpful for gaining control of and directing the contents of lucid dreams.

Boosting norepinephrine for lucid dreaming purposes also helps improve mental focus and clarity during waking periods.

Dopamine is known as the brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitter. Using a lucid dreaming supplement that increases dopamine is believed to give dreamers great confidence and strength during dreaming.

Spikes in dopamine likely are responsible for the fantastic elements of dreams – like super-human strength or the ability to fly.

Many lucid dreamers increase their dopamine levels naturally by supplementing with Mucuna pruriens. Also, called Velvet Bean Extract, M. pruriens is concentrated with the dopamine precursor, L-dopa.

Higher levels of dopamine may allow a lucid dreamer to more purposefully and effectively direct her dreams. Supplementing the diet with Mucuna pruriens also helps to increase confidence and libido during waking periods.

Increasing Dream Activity

Another important precursor for the ability to go lucid in a dream-state is high quality, restful sleep. This deep sleep is important for facilitating REM periods, which are associated with dreaming.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter used to balance moods and increase well-being. It is associated with encouraging deep non-REM sleep.

Serotonin also encourages activation of the REM rebound effect which promotes increased lucid dreaming occurrences.

Many lucid dreamers use a natural substance called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) to elevate serotonin levels. 5-HTP is used to synthesize serotonin and melatonin from an amino acid called tryptophan.

It crosses the blood brain barrier readily and is believed to enhance lucid dreaming. 100 to 150 mg doses are used before bedtime to encourage lucidity while dreaming.

Is Lucid Dreaming Good for You?

Indian and Tibetan Hindus and Buddhists have been employing lucid dreaming techniques to gain clarity for thousands of years.

Aristotle referred to consciousness during dreaming in 350 BC. As long as humans have existed, some have experienced and recorded their lucid dreams.

Lucid dreaming is real and it does work. There are multiple techniques to induce lucid dreaming based on drugs, supplements, cognitive training and mechanical devices.

However, research shows that, to date, there are no lucid dream induction techniques that work consistently and reliably. At best, they can increase the likelihood of becoming lucid during your dreams.

Understanding that lucid dreaming does work is the beginning of the process of skill development. Research shows that lucid dreaming techniques can be learned, practiced and improved upon.

If you are considering using a lucid dreaming supplement, then it is best to discuss it with a doctor who knows your health history. Certain side effects and drug interactions may be possible.

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