View source for Lucid dream

{{Short description|Dream where one is aware that one is dreaming}}
{{Other uses|Lucid Dream (disambiguation)}}

In the [[psychology]] subfield of [[oneirology]], a '''lucid dream''' is a type of [[dream]] wherein the dreamer realizes that they are dreaming during their dream. The capacity to have and sustain lucid dreams is a trainable [[cognitive skill]].<ref name="i904">{{cite journal | last=La Berge | first=Stephen P. | title=Lucid Dreaming as a Learnable Skill: A Case Study | journal=Perceptual and Motor Skills | volume=51 | issue=3_suppl2 | date=1980 | issn=0031-5125 | doi=10.2466/pms.1980.51.3f.1039 | pages=1039–1042}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Tzioridou |first1=Sofia |last2=Campillo-Ferrer |first2=Teresa |last3=Cañas-Martín |first3=Jorge |last4=Schlüter |first4=Linda |last5=Torres-Platas |first5=Susana G. |last6=Gott |first6=Jarrod A. |last7=Soffer-Dudek |first7=Nirit |last8=Stumbrys |first8=Tadas |last9=Dresler |first9=Martin |date=2025-02-01 |title=The clinical neuroscience of lucid dreaming |journal=Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews |volume=169 |article-number=106011 |doi=10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106011 |pmid=39818345 |issn=0149-7634|doi-access=free }}</ref> During a lucid dream, the dreamer may gain some amount of [[Volition (psychology)|volitional control]] over the [[dream character]]s, narrative, or environment, although this control of dream content is not the salient feature of lucid dreaming.<ref name="Kahan 1994">{{cite journal |author1=Kahan T.|author2=LaBerge S. | year = 1994 | title = Lucid dreaming as metacognition: implications for cognitive science | journal = Consciousness and Cognition | volume = 3 | issue = 2| pages = 246–64 | doi=10.1006/ccog.1994.1014|s2cid=54332622 }}</ref><ref name="Mayor2005">{{cite book|author=Adrienne Mayor|title=Fossil Legends Of The First Americans|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CMsgQQkmFqQC&pg=PA402|access-date=29 April 2013|year=2005|publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-11345-6 |page=402|quote=The term "lucid dreaming" to describe the technique of controlling dreams and following them to a desired conclusion was coined by the 19th-century Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden. }}</ref><ref name="SpenceFodor1985">{{cite book|author1=Lewis Spence |author2=Nandor Fodor|title=Encyclopedia of occultism & parapsychology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iZYQAQAAIAAJ&q=Frederik+van+Eeden+coined+term+lucid+dream|access-date=29 April 2013|volume=2|page=617|year=1985|publisher=Gale Research Co.|isbn=978-0-8103-0196-2|quote=Dr. Van Eeden was an author and physician who sat with the English medium Mrs. R. Thompson and was also ... 431) in which he used the term "lucid dream" to indicate those conditions in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming.|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172554/https://books.google.com/books?id=iZYQAQAAIAAJ&q=Frederik+van+Eeden+coined+term+lucid+dream|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="A Study of Dreams">{{cite web|url=http://www.lucidity.com/vanEeden.html|title=A Study of Dreams |last=Eeden |first=Frederik |publisher=lucidity.com |access-date=2018-04-23|archive-date=2019-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008035022/http://lucidity.com/vanEeden.html|url-status=live}}</ref> An important distinction is that lucid dreaming is a distinct type of dream from other types of dreams such as [[Pre-lucid dream|prelucid dreams]] and vivid dreams, although prelucid dreams are a precursor to lucid dreams, and lucid dreams are often accompanied with enhanced dream vividness. Lucid dreams are also a distinct state from other lucid boundary sleep states such as lucid [[hypnagogia]] or lucid [[hypnopompia]].

In formal psychology, lucid dreaming has been studied and reported for many years. Prominent figures from ancient to modern times have been fascinated by lucid dreams and have sought ways to better understand their causes and purpose. Many different theories have emerged as a result of scientific research on the subject.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Mutz |first1=Julian |last2=Javadi |first2=Amir-Homayoun |date=2017-01-01 |title=Exploring the neural correlates of dream phenomenology and altered states of consciousness during sleep |url=https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2017/1/nix009/3859602 |url-status=live |journal=Neuroscience of Consciousness |volume=2017 |issue=1 |article-number=nix009 |doi=10.1093/nc/nix009 |pmc=6007136 |pmid=30042842 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172620/https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2017/1/nix009/3859602 |archive-date=2021-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prescott |first=Virginia |date=2013-12-04 |title=Lucid Dream Research Goes Mainstream |url=https://www.nhpr.org/post/lucid-dream-research-goes-mainstream |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=New Hampshire Public Radio |language=en}}</ref> Further developments in psychological research have pointed to ways in which this form of dreaming may be utilized as a [[Clinical psychology|therapeutic technique]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zadra |first1=Antonio L. |last2=Pihl |first2=Robert O. |date=1997 |title=Lucid Dreaming as a Treatment for Recurrent Nightmares |url=https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/289106 |journal=Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics |language=en |volume=66 |issue=1 |pages=50–55 |doi=10.1159/000289106 |pmid=8996716 |issn=1423-0348|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The term ''lucid dream'' was coined by [[Netherlands|Dutch]] author and [[psychiatrist]] [[Frederik van Eeden]] in his 1913 article ''A Study of Dreams'',<ref name="A Study of Dreams" /> though descriptions of dreamers being aware that they are dreaming predate the article.<ref name="A Study of Dreams" /> Psychologist [[Stephen LaBerge]] is widely considered the progenitor and leading pioneer of modern lucid dreaming research.<ref name="g737">{{cite magazine | last=Robb | first=Alice | title=Lucid Dreaming: This Retreat Can Train Your Nighttime Visions | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date=November 20, 2018 | url=https://www.wired.com/story/lucid-dreaming-alice-robb-why-we-dream/ | access-date=May 21, 2024 }}</ref> He is the founder of the Lucidity Institute at [[Stanford University]].

==Definition==
[[Paul Tholey]] laid the [[epistemological]] basis for the research of lucid dreams, proposing seven different conditions of clarity that a dream must fulfill to be defined as a lucid dream:<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Tholey|first1=P.|year=1980|title=Klarträume als Gegenstand empirischer Untersuchungen [Conscious Dreams as an Object of Empirical Examination]|journal=Gestalt Theory|volume=2|pages=175–91 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Tholey|first1=P.|year=1981|title=Empirische Untersuchungen über Klartraüme [Empirical Examination of Conscious Dreams]|journal=Gestalt Theory|volume=3|pages=21–62}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Holzinger B|year=2009|title=Lucid dreaming – dreams of clarity|journal=Contemporary Hypnosis|volume=26|issue=4|pages=216–24|doi=10.1002/ch.390}}</ref>

# Awareness of the dream state (orientation)
# Awareness of the capacity to make decisions
# Awareness of memory functions
# Awareness of self
# Awareness of the dream environment
# Awareness of the meaning of the dream
# Awareness of concentration and focus (the subjective clarity of that state)

Later, in 1992, a study by [[Deirdre Barrett]] examined whether lucid dreams contained four "[[corollaries]]" of lucidity:
# The dreamer is aware that they are dreaming
# They are aware that actions will not carry over after waking
# Physical laws need not apply in the dream
# The dreamer has a clear memory of the waking world
Barrett found that less than a quarter of lucidity accounts exhibited all four.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asdreams.org/journal/issues/asdj2-04.htm#Barrett|title=Dreaming 2(4) Abstracts – The Journal of the Association for the Study of Dreams|work=asdreams.org|access-date=2009-08-02|archive-date=2021-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172609/https://asdreams.org/journal/issues/asdj2-04.htm#Barrett|url-status=live}}</ref>

Subsequently, [[Stephen LaBerge]] studied the prevalence among lucid dreams of the ability to control the dream scenario, and found that while dream control and dream awareness are correlated, neither requires the other. LaBerge found dreams that exhibit one clearly without the capacity for the other. He also found dreams where, although the dreamer is lucid and aware they could exercise control, they choose simply to observe.<ref name="Kahan 1994" />

==History==
===Eastern===
The practice of lucid dreaming is central to both the ancient Indian [[Hinduism|Hindu]] practice of [[Yoga nidra]] and the Tibetan Buddhist practice of [[dream Yoga]]. The cultivation of such awareness was a common practice among early [[Buddhism|Buddhists]].<ref>Tse-fu Kuan (2008), Mindfulness in Early Buddhism: New Approaches through Psychology and Textual Analysis of Pali, Chinese and Sanskrit Sources (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism)</ref>

===Western===
Early references to the phenomenon are also found in ancient Greek writing. For example, the philosopher [[Aristotle]] wrote: "often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is but a dream."<ref name="Mavromatis1987" /> Meanwhile, the physician [[Galen of Pergamon]] used lucid dreams as a form of therapy.<ref>{{cite book|author=Véronique Boudon-Millot |title=Galien de Pergame. Un médecin grec à Rome |publisher=Les Belles Lettres, 2012}}</ref> In addition, a letter written by [[Augustine of Hippo|Saint Augustine of Hippo]] in AD 415 tells the story of a dreamer, Doctor Gennadius, and refers to lucid dreaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dreamstudies.org/2009/10/08/lucid-dreaming-and-christianity/|title=Lucid Dreaming and Christianity: Entering the Light|date=October 8, 2009|first=Ryan|last=Hurd|publisher=Dream Studies Portal|access-date=Mar 12, 2018|archive-date=March 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031514/http://dreamstudies.org/2009/10/08/lucid-dreaming-and-christianity/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1102159.htm |title=Letter from St. Augustine of Hippo |publisher=Newadvent.org |access-date=2009-06-20 |archive-date=2012-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029014929/http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1102159.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Philosopher and physician [[Thomas Browne|Sir Thomas Browne]] (1605–1682) was fascinated by dreams and described his own ability to lucid dream in his ''[[Religio Medici]]'', stating: "...yet in one dream I can compose a whole Comedy, behold the action, apprehend the jests and laugh my self awake at the conceits thereof."<ref>[[Religio Medici]], part 2:11. Text available at http://penelope.uchicago.edu/relmed/relmed.html</ref>

[[Samuel Pepys]], in his diary entry for 15 August 1665, records a dream, stating: "I had my Lady Castlemayne in my arms and was admitted to use all the dalliance I desired with her, and then dreamt that this could not be awake, but that it was only a dream."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive/1665/08/15/|title=Tuesday 15 August 1665|work=The Diary of Samuel Pepys|date=15 August 2008 |access-date=29 December 2008|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172611/https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1665/08/15/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1867, the French sinologist [[Marie-Jean-Léon, Marquis d'Hervey de Saint Denys]]  anonymously published ''Les Rêves et Les Moyens de Les Diriger; Observations Pratiques'' ("Dreams and the ways to direct them; practical observations"), in which he describes his own experiences of lucid dreaming, and proposes that it is possible for anyone to learn to dream consciously.<ref>{{cite book |author=D'Hervey de Saint-Denys |title=Les Rêves et Les Moyens de Les Diriger; Observations Pratiques |year=1867 |location=Paris |publisher=Amyot |url=https://archive.org/details/lesrvesetlesmoye00herv |via=[[Internet Archive]] }}</ref><ref name="Bulkeley1999">{{cite book|last=Bulkeley|first=Kelly|author-link = Kelly Bulkeley|title=Visions of the night: dreams, religion, and psychology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ogZ49yw8i0C&pg=PA157|access-date=29 April 2013|year=1999|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-9798-2|page=157|quote=The person most widely credited with coining the term "lucid dream" is Frederick Van Eeden, a Dutch psychiatrist who from 1898 to 1912 gathered reports of lucid dreams and performed experiments on his own abilities to have lucid dreams ...}}</ref>

[[File:EedenSaintDenys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Frederik van Eeden]] (left) and [[Marie-Jean-Léon, Marquis d'Hervey de Saint Denys|Marquis d'Hervey de Saint Denys]] (right), early researchers of lucid dreaming]]

In 1913, Dutch psychiatrist and writer [[Frederik Willem van Eeden|Frederik (Willem) van Eeden]] (1860–1932) coined the term "lucid dream" in an article entitled "A Study of Dreams".<ref name="Frederik van Eeden 1997">{{cite journal|author=Frederik van Eeden|year=1913|url=http://www.lucidity.com/vanEeden.html|title=A study of Dreams|journal=Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research|volume=26|access-date=2007-06-06|archive-date=2019-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008035022/http://lucidity.com/vanEeden.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mavromatis1987">{{cite book|author=Andreas Mavromatis|title=Hypnogogia: The Unique State of Consciousness Between Wakefullness and Sleep|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dGgOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA96|access-date=29 April 2013|year=1987|publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-7102-0282-6|page=96|quote=The lucid dream, a term coined by van Eeden himself, had already been noted by Aristotle who wrote that 'often when...}}</ref><ref name="Bulkeley1999" />

Some have suggested that the term is a misnomer because Van Eeden was referring to a phenomenon more specific than a lucid dream.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lucid Dreaming: Awake in Your Sleep? |url=http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Articles/si91ld.html |first=Susan |last=Blackmore |author-link=Susan Blackmore |journal=Skeptical Inquirer |year=1991 |volume=15 |pages=362–70 |access-date=2004-01-14 |archive-date=2007-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070730195525/http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Articles/si91ld.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Van Eeden intended the term lucid to denote "having insight", as in the phrase ''a lucid interval'' applied to someone in temporary remission from a [[psychosis]], rather than as a reference to the perceptual quality of the experience, which may or may not be clear and vivid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lucidity.com/LucidDreamingFAQ2.html|title=Lucid Dreaming Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Lucidity Institute|work=lucidity.com|access-date=2005-07-08|archive-date=2019-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910121945/http://www.lucidity.com/LucidDreamingFAQ2.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Skill mastery ==

Clinical psychologist, Kristen LaMarca outlined four stages<ref name="w307">{{cite book | last= Lamarca | first=Kristen | title=Learn to Lucid Dream | publisher=Rockridge Press | publication-place=Naperville | date=2019-10-22 | isbn=978-1-64152-382-0 | page=12-14}}</ref> towards mastering the skill of using lucid dreaming:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Lucid Dreaming Skill Levels
! Stage !! Title !! Description !! Rarity
|-
| {{center|'''1'''}} || {{center|'''Beginner'''}} || {{left|The practitioner may have no recollection of ever having a lucid dream, and perhaps has at most experienced only brief moments of lucidity.}} || {{center|Common}}
|-
| {{center|'''2'''}} || {{center|'''Experienced'''}}|| {{left| An experienced lucid dreaming practitioner wields an increased ability of dream control and capacity to execute pre-intended actions. However, there are still aspects of lucid dream practice about employing lucidity productively that are yet to be honed. One's understanding of accessing and maintaining dream lucidity deepen as one has more lucid dreams.}} || {{center|Less common}}
|-
| {{center|'''3'''}} || {{center|'''Proficient'''}}|| {{left|A proficient lucid dreamer is marked by a deliberate ability to accomplish intended actions in lucid dreams, along with knowledge of the best actions for given dream scenarios. The proficient lucid dream practitioner's practice is well-planned, drawing upon a broad skill set facilitating flexible oneironautic exploration, which can include contemplative practices or athletic [[motor skill]] training. This level of skill adequacy is not necessary to develop a fulfilling lucid dream practice.}} || {{center|Uncommon}}
|-
| {{center|'''4'''}} || {{center|'''Expert'''}}|| {{left|Expertise in lucid dream skill is accompanied by normalization of greater intensity of lucidity during lucid dreams. LaMarca writes that the expert's practice is "characterized by at least a decade of intense dedication, long training hours, and mentorship by other more advanced experts." Spiritual figures, such [[Lama|Tibetan Buddhist masters]], tend to display the highest order of mastery.}} || {{center|Extremely rare}}
|-
|}

Progression along the skill levels is akin to a maturity in the development of the practitioner's discipline, methodology and application.

== Cognitive science ==
In 1968, [[Celia Green]] analyzed the main characteristics of such dreams, reviewing previously published literature on the subject and incorporating new data from participants of her own. She concluded that lucid dreams were a category of experience quite distinct from ordinary dreams and said they were associated with [[rapid eye movement sleep]] (REM sleep). Green was also the first to link lucid dreams to the phenomenon of [[false awakening]]s,<ref>Green, C. (1968). ''Lucid Dreams'', London: Hamish Hamilton.</ref> which has since been corroborated by more recent studies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Buzzi |first=Giorgio |date=December 2019 |title=False awakenings in lucid dreamers: How they relate with lucid dreams, and how lucid dreamers relate with them. |url=https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/drm0000114 |journal=Dreaming |language=en |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=323–338 |doi=10.1037/drm0000114 |issn=1573-3351|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1973, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, were able to train sleeping subjects to recognize they were in REM dreaming and indicate this by pressing micro switches on their thumbs. Using tones and mild shocks as cues, the experiments showed that the subjects were able to signal knowledge of their various sleep stages, including dreaming.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Luce |first1=Gay Gaer |title=Current Research on Sleep and Dreams |date=Jan 1973 |publisher=National Institute of Mental Health |location=Washington, D.C. |page=61 |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=cftFAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-cftFAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1}}</ref>

In 1975, Dr. Keith Hearne had the idea to exploit the nature of rapid eye movements (REM) to allow a dreamer to send a message directly from dreams to the waking world. Working with an experienced lucid dreamer (Alan Worsley), he eventually succeeded in recording (via the use of an [[electrooculogram]] or EOG) a pre-defined set of eye movements signaled from within Worsley's lucid dream. This occurred at around 8 am on the morning of April 12, 1975. Hearne's EOG experiment was formally recognized through publication in the journal for The Society for Psychical Research. Lucid dreaming was subsequently researched by asking dreamers to perform pre-determined physical responses while experiencing a dream, including eye movement signals.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Watanabe Tsuneo |date = March 2003|title=Lucid Dreaming: Its Experimental Proof and Psychological Conditions |journal=Journal of International Society of Life Information Science |location=Japan |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=159–62 |quote=The occurrence of lucid dreaming (dreaming while being conscious that one is dreaming) has been verified for four selected subjects who signaled that they knew they were dreaming. The signals consisted of particular dream actions having observable concomitants and were performed in accordance with a pre-sleep agreement.}}</ref><ref name="laberge-experiments1">{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.lucidity.com/SleepAndCognition.html |chapter=Lucid Dreaming: Psychophysiological Studies of Consciousness during REM Sleep |first=Stephen |last=LaBerge |editor=Richard R. Bootzin |editor2=John F. Kihlstrom |editor3=Daniel L. Schacter |title=Sleep and Cognition |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=American Psychological Association |year=1990 |pages=109–26 |isbn=978-1-55798-262-9 |access-date=2006-12-27 |archive-date=2019-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808012859/http://www.lucidity.com/SleepAndCognition.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1980, [[Stephen LaBerge]] at [[Stanford University]] developed such techniques as part of his doctoral dissertation.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Laberge |first=S. |year=1980 |title=Lucid dreaming: An exploratory study of consciousness during sleep |type=PhD thesis |publisher=Stanford University |via=University Microfilms No. 80-24, 691 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/303063091 |access-date=2021-02-06 |id={{ProQuest|303063091}} }}</ref> In 1985, LaBerge performed a pilot study that showed that [[time perception]] while counting during a lucid dream is about the same as during waking life. Lucid dreamers counted out ten seconds while dreaming, signaling the start and the end of the count with a pre-arranged eye signal measured with [[electrooculography|electrooculogram]] recording.<ref name="laberge-experiments2">{{cite journal |author=LaBerge, S. |year=2000 |url=http://www.lucidity.com/slbbs/index.html |title=Lucid dreaming: Evidence and methodology |journal=Behavioral and Brain Sciences |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=962–63 |doi=10.1017/S0140525X00574020 |s2cid=145725908 |access-date=2006-12-07 |archive-date=2006-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129105923/http://www.lucidity.com/slbbs/index.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>LaBerge, Stephen (1990). in Bootzin, R.R., Kihlstrom, J.F. & Schacter, D.L., (Eds.): Lucid Dreaming: Psychophysiological Studies of Consciousness during REM Sleep Sleep and Cognition. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, pp. 109–26.</ref><ref>LaBerge, Stephen; Levitan, Lynne (1995). "Validity Established of DreamLight Cues for Eliciting Lucid Dreaming". Dreaming 5 (3). International Association for the Study of Dreams.</ref> LaBerge's results were confirmed by German researchers D. Erlacher and M. Schredl in 2004.<ref name="erlacher-experiments">{{cite journal |author=Erlacher, D. |author2=Schredl, M. |url=http://daniel.erlacher.de/index.php/Time_required_for_motor_activity_in_lucid_dreams |year=2004 |title=Required time for motor activities in lucid dreams |journal=Perceptual and Motor Skills |volume=99 |pages=1239–42 |doi=10.2466/pms.99.3f.1239-1242 |pmid=15739850 |issue=3 Pt 2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305181802/http://daniel.erlacher.de/index.php/Time_required_for_motor_activity_in_lucid_dreams#References |archive-date=2007-03-05 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In a further study by Stephen LaBerge, four subjects were compared, either singing or counting while dreaming. LaBerge found that the right hemisphere was more active during singing and the left hemisphere was more active during counting.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=LaBerge S. |author2=Dement W.C. | year = 1982b | title = Lateralization of alpha activity for dreamed singing and counting during REM sleep | doi = 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1982.tb02567.x | journal = Psychophysiology | volume = 19 | pages = 331–32 }}</ref>

[[Neuroscientist]] [[Allan Hobson|J. Allan Hobson]] has hypothesized what might be occurring in the brain while lucid. The first step to lucid dreaming is recognizing that one is dreaming. This recognition might occur in the [[dorsolateral prefrontal cortex]], which is one of the few areas deactivated during REM sleep and where [[working memory]] occurs. Once this area is activated and the recognition of dreaming occurs, the dreamer must be cautious to let the dream continue, but be conscious enough to remember that it is a dream. While maintaining this balance, the [[amygdala]] and [[parahippocampal cortex]] might be less intensely activated.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Muzur A., Pace-Schott E.F. |author2=Allan Hobson |date=November 2002 |url=http://www.bostonneuropsa.org/PDF%20Files/Pace-Schott/MUZUR_ET_AL.__02.pdf |title=The prefrontal cortex in sleep |journal=Trends Cogn Sci |volume=6 |pages=475–81 |doi=10.1016/S1364-6613(02)01992-7 |issue=11 |pmid=12457899 |s2cid=5530174 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630033042/http://www.bostonneuropsa.org/PDF%20Files/Pace-Schott/MUZUR_ET_AL.__02.pdf |archive-date=2007-06-30 }}</ref> To continue the intensity of the dream hallucinations, it is expected the [[pons]] and the [[parietal lobe|parieto-occipital junction]] stay active.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hobson |first=J. Allan |title=The Dream Drugstore: Chemically Altered States of Consciousness |url=https://archive.org/details/dreamdrugstorech00hobs |url-access=limited |year=2001 |publisher=MIT Press |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |isbn=978-0-262-58220-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dreamdrugstorech00hobs/page/n97 96]–98}}</ref>

Using [[electroencephalography]] (EEG) and other polysomnographical measurements, LaBerge and others have shown that lucid dreams begin in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Ogilvie R. |author2=Hunt H. |author3=Sawicki C. |author4=McGowan K. | year = 1978 | title = Searching for lucid dreams | journal = Sleep Research | volume = 7 | page = 165 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Harms|first=R. (n.d.)|title=Polysomnography (sleep study). Definition|website=[[Mayo Clinic]]|access-date=April 21, 2014|url=http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/polysomnography/basics/definition/prc-20013229|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172601/https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/polysomnography/about/pac-20394877|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>LaBerge S., Levitan L., Dement W.C. (1986) Lucid dreaming: physiological correlates of consciousness during REM sleep. ''Journal of Mind and Behavior'' 7: 251(121)–8(8).</ref> LaBerge also proposes that there are higher amounts of beta-1 frequency band (13–19&nbsp;Hz) brain wave activity experienced by lucid dreamers, hence there is an increased amount of activity in the [[parietal lobe]]s making lucid dreaming a conscious process.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Holzinger B. |author2=LaBerge S. |author3=Levitan L. | year = 2006 | title = Psychophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming | journal =  Dreaming| volume = 16 | issue = 2| pages = 88–95 | doi = 10.1037/1053-0797.16.2.88 }}</ref>

Paul Tholey, a German [[Gestalt Psychology|Gestalt psychologist]] and a professor of psychology and [[sports science]], originally studied dreams in order to resolve the question of whether one dreams in colour or black and white. In his phenomenological research, he outlined an epistemological frame using [[Critical realism (philosophy of perception)|critical realism]].<ref>Tholey, Paul (1980). ''Erkenntnistheoretische und systemtheoretische Grundlagen der Sensumotorik aus gestalttheoretischer Sicht.'' In: ''Sportwissenschaft.'' 10, S. 7–35.</ref> Tholey instructed his subjects to continuously suspect waking life to be a dream, in order that such a habit would manifest itself during dreams. He called this technique for inducing lucid dreams the ''Reflexionstechnik'' (reflection technique).<ref>{{cite journal |last=Tholey |first=Paul |year=1983 |title=Techniques for inducing and manipulating lucid dreams |journal=Perceptual and Motor Skills |volume=57 |issue=1 |pages=79–90 |doi=10.2466/pms.1983.57.1.79 |s2cid=144169561 }}</ref> Subjects learned to have such lucid dreams; they observed their dream content and reported it soon after awakening. Tholey could examine the cognitive abilities of dream figures.<ref>Tholey, Paul, (1983). ''Cognitive abilities of dream figures in lucid dreams''. In: Lucidity Letter, p. 71.</ref> Nine trained lucid dreamers were directed to set other dream figures arithmetic and verbal tasks during lucid dreaming. Dream figures who agreed to perform the tasks proved more successful in verbal than in arithmetic tasks. Tholey discussed his scientific results with Stephen LaBerge, who has a similar approach.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Tholey |first=Paul |year=1991 |title=Conversation Between Stephen LaBerge and Paul Tholey in July of 1989 |editor-first=B. |editor-last=Holzinger |journal=Lucidity |volume=10 |issue=1&2 |pages=62–71 }}</ref>

A study was conducted by Stephen LaBerge and other scientists to see if it were possible to attain the ability to lucid dream through a drug. In 2018, [[galantamine]] was given to 121 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the only one of its kind. Some participants found as much as a 42 percent increase in their ability to lucid dream, compared to self-reports from the past six months, and ten people experienced a lucid dream for the first time. It is theorized that galantamine allows [[acetylcholine]] to build up, leading to greater recollection and awareness during dreaming.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=LaBerge|first1=Stephen|last2=LaMarca|first2=Kristen|last3=Baird|first3=Benjamin|date=2018-08-08|title=Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine stimulates lucid dreaming: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=13|issue=8|article-number=e0201246|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0201246|issn=1932-6203|pmc=6082533|pmid=30089135|bibcode=2018PLoSO..1301246L|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Two-way communication===
[[File:Graphical abstract of "Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep".jpg|thumb|300px|Graphical abstract of "Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep"]]

Teams of cognitive scientists have established real-time two-way communication with people undergoing a lucid dream. During dreaming, they were able to consciously communicate with experimenters via eye movements<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Voss |first1=Ursula |last2=Holzmann |first2=Romain |last3=Tuin |first3=Inka |last4=Hobson |first4=J. Allan |date=September 2009 |title=Lucid dreaming: a state of consciousness with features of both waking and non-lucid dreaming |journal=Sleep |volume=32 |issue=9 |pages=1191–1200 |doi=10.1093/sleep/32.9.1191 |issn=0161-8105 |pmc=2737577 |pmid=19750924}}</ref> or facial muscle signals, were able to comprehend complex questions and use working memory. Such interactive lucid dreaming could be a new approach for the scientific exploration of the dream state and could have applications for learning and creativity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Study finds real-time dialogue with a dreaming person is possible |url=https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-02-real-time-dialogue-person.html |access-date=7 March 2021 |work=medicalxpress.com |language=en |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304125452/https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-02-real-time-dialogue-person.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.026">{{cite journal |last1=Konkoly |first1=Karen R. |last2=Appel |first2=Kristoffer |last3=Chabani |first3=Emma |last4=Mangiaruga |first4=Anastasia |last5=Gott |first5=Jarrod |last6=Mallett |first6=Remington |last7=Caughran |first7=Bruce |last8=Witkowski |first8=Sarah |last9=Whitmore |first9=Nathan W. |last10=Mazurek |first10=Christopher Y. |last11=Berent |first11=Jonathan B. |last12=Weber |first12=Frederik D. |last13=Türker |first13=Başak |last14=Leu-Semenescu |first14=Smaranda |last15=Maranci |first15=Jean-Baptiste |last16=Pipa |first16=Gordon |last17=Arnulf |first17=Isabelle |last18=Oudiette |first18=Delphine |last19=Dresler |first19=Martin |last20=Paller |first20=Ken A. |title=Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep |journal=Current Biology |date=18 February 2021 |volume=31 |issue=7 |pages=1417–1427.e6 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.026 |pmid=33607035 |pmc=8162929 |language=English |issn=0960-9822|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021CBio...31E1417K }} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Available under [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016050101/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |date=2017-10-16 }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Türker |first1=Başak |last2=Musat |first2=Esteban Munoz |last3=Chabani |first3=Emma |last4=Fonteix-Galet |first4=Alexandrine |last5=Maranci |first5=Jean-Baptiste |last6=Wattiez |first6=Nicolas |last7=Pouget |first7=Pierre |last8=Sitt |first8=Jacobo |last9=Naccache |first9=Lionel |last10=Arnulf |first10=Isabelle |last11=Oudiette |first11=Delphine |date=November 2023 |title=Behavioral and brain responses to verbal stimuli reveal transient periods of cognitive integration of the external world during sleep |journal=Nature Neuroscience |language=en |volume=26 |issue=11 |pages=1981–1993 |doi=10.1038/s41593-023-01449-7 |issn=1097-6256 |pmc=10620087 |pmid=37828228}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Oza |first=Anil |date=2023-10-18 |title=Deep asleep? You can still follow simple commands, study finds |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03252-7 |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=622 |issue=7984 |pages=678–679 |doi=10.1038/d41586-023-03252-7|pmid=37853201 |bibcode=2023Natur.622..678O |s2cid=264305006 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Alternative theories===
Other researchers suggest that lucid dreaming is not a state of sleep, but of brief wakefulness, or "micro-awakening".<ref name="schwartz">{{cite journal |last1=Schwartz |first1=B. A. |last2=Lefebvre |first2=A. |year=1973 |title=Contacts Veille/P.M.O. II: Les P.M.O. morcelées |trans-title=Conjunction of waking and REM sleep. II Fragmented REM periods |language=fr |journal=Revue d'Electroencephalographie et de Neurophysiologie Clinique |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=165–76 |doi=10.1016/S0370-4475(73)80034-6 |pmid=4377888 }}</ref><ref name="hartmann">{{cite book |last=Hartmann |first=E. |year=1975 |chapter=Dreams and other hallucinations: an approach to the underlying mechanism |editor-first=R. K. |editor-last=Siegel |editor2-first=L. J. |editor2-last=West |title=Hallucinations: Behavior, Experience and Theory |pages=71–79 |location=New York |publisher=J. Wiley & Sons |isbn=0-471-79096-6 }}</ref> Experiments by [[Stephen LaBerge]] used "perception of the outside world" as a criterion for [[wakefulness]] while studying lucid dreamers, and their sleep state was corroborated with physiological measurements.<ref name="laberge-experiments1" /> LaBerge's subjects experienced their lucid dream while in a state of REM, which critics felt may mean that the subjects are fully awake. J. Allen Hobson responded that lucid dreaming must be a state of both waking and dreaming.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Neurobiology of Consciousness: Lucid Dreaming Wakes Up|journal=International Journal of Dream Research|volume=2|issue=2|pages=41–44|author=J. Allan Hobson|date=October 2009|doi=10.11588/ijodr.2009.2.403}}</ref>

Philosopher [[Norman Malcolm]] was a proponent of dream skepticism.<ref>Dreams and Dreaming (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2019, November 27). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dreams-dreaming/#DreaExpe</ref> He has argued against the possibility of checking the accuracy of dream reports, pointing out that "the only criterion of the truth of a statement that someone has had a certain dream is, essentially, his saying so."<ref name="malcolm">{{cite book |last=Malcolm |first=N. |year=1959 |title=Dreaming |location=London |publisher=Routledge and Kegan Paul }}</ref> Yet dream reports are not the only evidence that some inner drama is being played out during REM sleep. [[Electromyography]] on speech and body muscles has demonstrated the sleeping body covertly walking, gesturing and talking while in REM.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Carr |first1=Michelle |title=Animating Dreams and the Future of Dream Recording |journal=Psychology Today |date=September 18, 2017 |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dream-factory/201709/animating-dreams-and-the-future-dream-recording}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shimizu |first1=A |last2=Inoue |first2=T |title=Dreamed speech and speech muscle activity |journal=Psychophysiology |date=1986 |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=210–4 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-8986.1986.tb00620.x|pmid=3704077 }}</ref>

==Prevalence and frequency==
In 2016, a meta-analytic study by David Saunders and colleagues<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Saunders|first1=David T.|last2=Roe|first2=Chris A.|last3=Smith|first3=Graham|last4=Clegg|first4=Helen|title=Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research|journal=Consciousness and Cognition|volume=43|pages=197–215|doi=10.1016/j.concog.2016.06.002|pmid=27337287|year=2016|s2cid=3965065|url=http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/8705/1/Saunders20168705.pdf|access-date=2019-11-10|archive-date=2018-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721150632/http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/8705/1/Saunders20168705.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> on 34 lucid dreaming studies, taken from a period of 50 years, demonstrated that 55% of a pooled sample of 24,282 people claimed to have experienced lucid dreams at least once or more in their lifetime. Furthermore, for those that stated they did experience lucid dreams, approximately 23% reported to experience them on a regular basis, as often as once a month or more. In a 2004 study on lucid dream frequency and personality, a moderate correlation between nightmare frequency and frequency of lucid dreaming was demonstrated. Some lucid dreamers also reported that nightmares are a trigger for dream lucidity.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schredl|first1=Michael|last2=Erlacher|first2=Daniel|date=2004-11-01|title=Lucid dreaming frequency and personality|journal=Personality and Individual Differences|volume=37|issue=7|pages=1463–73|doi=10.1016/j.paid.2004.02.003|issn=0191-8869}}</ref> Previous studies have reported that lucid dreaming is more common among adolescents than adults.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Szczegielniak|first1=A.|last2=Palka|first2=K.|last3=Goc|first3=T.|last4=Krysta|first4=K.|date=March 2015|title=Lucid Dreaming: a Mysterious Phenomenon|journal=European Psychiatry|volume=30|page=1780|doi=10.1016/s0924-9338(15)31372-9|s2cid=147290557|issn=0924-9338}}</ref>

A 2015 study by Julian Mutz and Amir-Homayoun Javadi showed that people who had practiced meditation for a long time tended to have more lucid dreams. The authors claimed that "Lucid dreaming is a hybrid state of consciousness with features of both waking and dreaming" in a review they published in Neuroscience of Consciousness in 2017.<ref name=":0" />

Mutz and Javadi found that during lucid dreaming, there is an increase in activity of the [[dorsolateral prefrontal cortex]], the bilateral [[frontopolar prefrontal cortex]], the [[precuneus]], the inferior parietal lobules, and the [[supramarginal gyrus]]. All are brain functions related to higher cognitive functions, including working memory, planning, and self-consciousness. The researchers also found that during a lucid dream, "levels of self-determination" were similar to those that people experienced during states of wakefulness. They also found that lucid dreamers can only control limited aspects of their dream at once.

Mutz and Javadi also have stated that by studying lucid dreaming further, scientists could learn more about various types of consciousness, which happen to be less easy to separate and research at other times.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-27 |title=Lucid dreams: Their role, and how they register in the brain |url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326496 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.medicalnewstoday.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Suggested applications==
===Treating nightmares===
It has been suggested that those who suffer from [[nightmare]]s could benefit from the ability to be aware they are indeed dreaming.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Leveraging the power of lucid dreams |url=https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/10/leveraging-the-power-of-lucid-dreams/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=news.northwestern.edu |language=en}}</ref> A pilot study performed in 2006 showed that lucid dreaming therapy treatment was successful in reducing nightmare frequency. This treatment consisted of exposure to the idea, mastery of the technique, and lucidity exercises. It was not clear what aspects of the treatment were responsible for the success of overcoming nightmares, though the treatment as a whole was said to be successful.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=PPS2006075006389 |author1=Spoormaker,-Victor-I |author2=van-den-Bout,-Jan |date=October 2006 |title=Lucid Dreaming Treatment for Nightmares: A Pilot Study |journal=Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics |volume=75 |issue=6 |pages=389–94 |doi=10.1159/000095446 |pmid=17053341 |s2cid=15457895 |quote=Conclusions: LDT seems effective in reducing nightmare frequency, although the primary therapeutic component (i.e. exposure, mastery, or lucidity) remains unclear. |access-date=2007-10-26 |archive-date=2011-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221192436/http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=PPS2006075006389 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Australian psychologist Milan Colic has explored the application of principles from [[narrative therapy]] to clients' lucid dreams, to reduce the impact not only of nightmares during sleep but also depression, self-mutilation, and other problems in waking life.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Melanie |first1=Schädlich |last2=Daniel |first2=Erlacher |url=https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-02432-006|title=PsycNET|journal=International Journal of Dream Research|date=October 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-11-03|archive-date=2021-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172606/https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-02432-006|url-status=live}}</ref> Colic found that therapeutic conversations could reduce the distressing content of dreams, while understandings about life—and even characters—from lucid dreams could be applied to their lives with marked therapeutic benefits.<ref>Colic, M. (2007). "Kanna's lucid dreams and the use of narrative practices to explore their meaning." ''The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work'' (4): 19–26.</ref>

Psychotherapists have applied lucid dreaming as a part of therapy. Studies have shown that, by inducing a lucid dream, recurrent nightmares can be alleviated. It is unclear whether this alleviation is due to lucidity or the ability to alter the dream itself. A 2006 study performed by Victor Spoormaker and Van den Bout evaluated the validity of lucid dreaming treatment (LDT) in chronic nightmare sufferers.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Spoormaker | first1 = V.I. | last2 = van den Bout | first2 = J. | year = 2006 | title = Lucid dreaming treatment for nightmares: a pilot study | journal = Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics | volume = 75 | issue = 6| pages = 389–94 | doi=10.1159/000095446 | pmid=17053341| s2cid = 15457895 }}</ref> LDT is composed of exposure, mastery and lucidity exercises. Results of lucid dreaming treatment revealed that the nightmare frequency of the treatment groups had decreased. In another study, Spoormaker, Van den Bout, and Meijer (2003) investigated lucid dreaming treatment for nightmares by testing eight subjects who received a one-hour individual session, which consisted of lucid dreaming exercises.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Spoormaker | first1 = V.I. | last2 = van den Bout | first2 = J. | last3 = Meijer | first3 = E.J.G. | year = 2003 | title = Lucid dreaming treatment for nightmares: a series of cases | journal = Dreaming | volume = 13 | issue = 3| pages = 181–86 | doi=10.1037/1053-0797.13.3.181| doi-access = free }}</ref> The results of the study revealed that the nightmare frequency had decreased and the sleep quality had slightly increased.

Holzinger, Klösch, and Saletu managed a psychotherapy study under the working name of 'Cognition during dreaming—a therapeutic intervention in nightmares', which included 40 subjects, men and women, 18–50 years old, whose life quality was significantly altered by nightmares.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://registration.akm.ch/einsicht.php|author=Holzinger, B., Klösch, G., & Saletu, B. |title= Cognition in Sleep – A Therapeutic Intervention in Patients with Nightmares and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 21st Congress of the European Sleep Research Society|access-date =April 21, 2014|work=akm.ch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424074809/http://registration.akm.ch/einsicht.php|archive-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref> The test subjects were administered Gestalt group therapy, and 24 of them were also taught to enter the state of lucid dreaming by Holzinger. This was purposefully taught in order to change the course of their nightmares. The subjects then reported the diminishment of their nightmare prevalence from 2–3 times a week to 2–3 times per month.

===Creativity===
In her book ''[[The Committee of Sleep]]'', [[Deirdre Barrett]] describes how some experienced lucid dreamers have learned to remember specific practical goals such as artists looking for inspiration seeking a show of their own work once they become lucid or computer programmers looking for a screen with their desired code. However, most of these dreamers had many experiences of failing to recall waking objectives before gaining this level of control.<ref name="Barrett">Barrett, Deirdre. ''The Committee of Sleep: How Artists, Scientists, and Athletes Use their Dreams for Creative Problem Solving ... and How You Can, Too''. Hardback Random House, 2001, Paperback Oneroi Press, 2010.</ref>

''Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming'' by [[Stephen LaBerge]] and [[Howard Rheingold]] (1990) discusses creativity within dreams and lucid dreams, including testimonials from a number of people who claim they have used the practice of lucid dreaming to help them solve a number of creative issues, from an aspiring parent thinking of potential baby names to a surgeon practicing surgical techniques. The authors discuss how creativity in dreams could stem from "conscious access to the contents of our unconscious minds"; access to "tacit knowledge"—the things we know but can't explain, or things we know but are unaware that we know.<ref>{{cite book |last1=LaBerge |first1=Steven |last2=Rheingold |first2=Howard |title=Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming |date=1990 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=0-345-37410-X|chapter=9}}</ref>

''The Dreams Behind the Music'' book by Craig Webb (2016) details lucid dreams of a number of musical artists, including how they are able not just to hear, but also compose, mix, arrange, practice, and perform music while conscious within their dreams.<ref name="Webb">{{cite book |last=Webb |first=Craig |title=The Dreams Behind the Music: Learn Creative Dreaming as 100+ Artists Reveal their Breakthrough Inspirations |date=2016 |publisher=The DREAMS Foundation |isbn=978-0-9734282-2-3}}</ref>

== Risks ==
Though lucid dreaming can be beneficial to a number of aspects of life, some risks have been suggested. Those struggling with certain mental illnesses could find it hard to tell the difference between reality and the lucid dream ([[psychosis]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323077.php|title=Lucid Dreaming: Controlling the stories of sleep|last=Cohut|first=Maria|date=September 14, 2018|website=Medical News Today|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172610/https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323077|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newhealthadvisor.com/is-lucid-dreaming-dangerous.html|title=Is Lucid Dreaming Dangerous?|work=New Health Advisor |date=2015-07-31|access-date=2019-05-05|archive-date=2021-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172610/https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/is-lucid-dreaming-dangerous.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A very small percentage of people may experience [[sleep paralysis]], which can sometimes be confused with lucid dreaming. Although from the outside, both seem to be quite similar, there are a few distinct differences that can help differentiate them. A person usually experiences sleep paralysis when they partially wake up in [[REM atonia]], a state in which said person is partially paralyzed and cannot move their limbs. When in sleep paralysis, people may also experience hallucinations. Although said hallucinations cannot cause physical damage, they may still be frightening. There are three common types of hallucinations:<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cheyne|first1=J. Allan|last2=Rueffer|first2=Steve D.|last3=Newby-Clark|first3=Ian R.|date=1999-09-01|title=Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Hallucinations during Sleep Paralysis: Neurological and Cultural Construction of the Night-Mare|journal=Consciousness and Cognition|volume=8|issue=3|pages=319–37|doi=10.1006/ccog.1999.0404|pmid=10487786|s2cid=23758148|issn=1053-8100}}</ref> an intruder in the same room, a crushing feeling on one's chest or back, and a feeling of flying or levitating. About 7.6% of the general population have experienced sleep paralysis at least once.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sharpless|first1=Brian A.|last2=Barber|first2=Jacques P.|date=October 2011|title=Lifetime Prevalence Rates of Sleep Paralysis: A Systematic Review|journal=Sleep Medicine Reviews|volume=15|issue=5|pages=311–15|doi=10.1016/j.smrv.2011.01.007|issn=1087-0792|pmc=3156892|pmid=21571556}}</ref> Exiting sleep paralysis to a waking state can be achieved by intently focusing on a part of the body, such as a finger, and wiggling it, then continuing the action of moving to the hand, the arm, and so on, until the person is fully awake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Causes Sleep Paralysis? |url=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21974-sleep-paralysis |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250328094111/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21974-sleep-paralysis |archive-date=2025-03-28 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Cleveland Clinic |language=en}}</ref>

Long-term risks with lucid dreaming have not been extensively studied,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Aviram|first1=Liat|last2=Soffer-Dudek|first2=Nirit|year=2018|title=Lucid Dreaming: Intensity, But Not Frequency, Is Inversely Related to Psychopathology|journal=Frontiers in Psychology|volume=9|article-number=384|doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00384|pmc=5875414|pmid=29623062|quote=To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore, and demonstrate, a potential long-term risk following the use of LD induction techniques.|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schredl |first1=Michael |last2=Dyck |first2=Sophie |last3=Kühnel |first3=Anja |title=Lucid Dreaming and the Feeling of Being Refreshed in the Morning: A Diary Study |journal=Clocks & Sleep |date=12 February 2020 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=54–60 |doi=10.3390/clockssleep2010007 |pmid=33089191 |pmc=7445824 |issn=2624-5175 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ribeiro |first1=Nicolas |last2=Gounden |first2=Yannick |last3=Quaglino |first3=Véronique |title=Is There a Link Between Frequency of Dreams, Lucid Dreams, and Subjective Sleep Quality? |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |date=25 June 2020 |volume=11 |article-number=1290 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01290|pmid=32670153 |pmc=7330170 |doi-access=free }}</ref> although many people have reported lucid dreaming for many years without any adverse effects. In 2018, researchers at the Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness conducted a study that concluded individuals who lucid dream more frequently have a more active and well-connected [[prefrontal cortex]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baird |first1=Benjamin |last2=Castelnovo |first2=Anna |last3=Gosseries |first3=Olivia |last4=Tononi |first4=Giulio |date=2018-12-12 |title=Frequent lucid dreaming associated with increased functional connectivity between frontopolar cortex and temporoparietal association areas |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=17798 |doi=10.1038/s41598-018-36190-w |pmid=30542052 |issn=2045-2322|pmc=6290891 |bibcode=2018NatSR...817798B }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Psychology}}
<!-- Please keep entries in alphabetical order & add a short description [[WP:SEEALSO]] -->
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Active imagination]]
* [[Embodied imagination]]
* [[Astral projection]]
* [[Patricia Garfield]]
* [[Pre-lucid dream]]
* [[Recurring dream]]
* [[Sleep paralysis]]
* [[Yoga nidra]]
* [[Carl Jung]]
* [[Sigmund Freud]]
* [[Dream]]
* [[Dreamwork]]
* [[Dream character]]
* [[Dreams in analytical psychology]]
* [[Dreaming (journal)]]
* [[Oneirology]]
* [[Oneiromancy]]
* [[Oneironautics]]
* [[Unconscious mind]]
* [[International Association for the Study of Dreams]] (IASD)
* [[Dream incubation]]
* [[Fever dream]]

{{div col end}}
<!-- please keep entries in alphabetical order -->

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* Blanken, C.M. den and Meijer, E.J.G. "An Historical View of Dreams and the Ways to Direct Them; Practical Observations by Marie-Jean-Léon-Lecoq, le Marquis d'Hervey-Saint-Denys". ''Lucidity Letter'', 7 (2) 67–78; 1988. Revised Edition in: ''Lucidity'', 10 (1&2) 311–22; 1991.
* {{Cite conference |last=Conesa |first=Jorge |title=Sleep Paralysis Signaling (SPS) as a Natural Cueing Method for the Generation and Maintenance of Lucid Dreaming |conference=The 83rd Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association |date=May 1–4, 2003 |location=Vancouver, BC, Canada}}
* {{Cite journal|first=Jorge|last=Conesa|title=Isolated Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming: Ten-year longitudinal case study and related dream frequencies, types, and categories|journal=Sleep and Hypnosis|volume=4|issue=4|year=2002|pages=132–42|url=http://www.sleepandhypnosis.org/article.asp?ID=125|access-date=2007-12-18|archive-date=2021-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172621/https://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js|url-status=live}}
* {{Skeptoid | id=4632 | number= 632| title=Lucid Dreaming | date= July 17, 2018| quote= | access-date=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gackenbach |first=Jayne |author-link=Jayne Gackenbach |author2=Laberge, Stephen |title=Conscious Mind, Sleeping Brain|year=1988|isbn=0-306-42849-0|publisher=Plenum Press|location=New York}}
* {{Cite book |last=Green |first=Celia |author2=McCreery, Charles|title=Lucid Dreaming: The Paradox of Consciousness During Sleep|year=1994|isbn=0-415-11239-7|publisher=Routledge|location=London}}
* {{Cite book |last=LaBerge |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen LaBerge |title=Lucid Dreaming|year=1985|isbn=0-87477-342-3|publisher=J.P. Tarcher|location=Los Angeles}}
* {{Cite book |last=LaBerge |first=Stephen |title=Lucid Dreaming: A Concise Guide to Awakening in Your Dreams and in Your Life|year=2009|isbn=978-1-59179-675-6 |location=Boulder, Col.|publisher=Sounds True}}
* {{Cite journal|first=Parmy|last=Olson|title=Saying 'Hi' Through A Dream: How The Internet Could Make Sleeping More Social|journal=Forbes|year=2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2012/11/08/saying-hi-through-a-dream-how-the-internet-could-make-sleeping-more-social/|access-date=2017-09-04|archive-date=2016-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531010710/http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2012/11/08/saying-hi-through-a-dream-how-the-internet-could-make-sleeping-more-social/|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite book|chapter=The Lucid Dream|title=The Head Trip: Adventures on the Wheel of Consciousness|url=https://archive.org/details/headtrip00jeff|url-access=registration|year=2007|isbn=978-0-679-31408-0|first=Jeff|last=Warren|publisher=Random House|location=Toronto}}
* Tholey, Paul (1983). "Relation between dream content and eye movements tested by lucid dreams". ''Perceptual and Motor Skills'', 56, pp.&nbsp;875–78.
* Tholey, Paul (1988). "A model for lucidity training as a means of self-healing and psychological growth". In: J. Gackenbach & S. LaBerge (eds.), Conscious mind, sleeping brain. ''Perspectives on lucid dreaming'', pp.&nbsp;263–87. London: Plenum Press.
* {{Cite book |last1= Tuccillo |first1= Dylan |last2= Zeizel |first2= Jared |last3= Peisel |first3= Thomas |date= 2013 |title= A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming: Mastering the Art of Oneironautics |publisher= Workman Publishing |isbn= 978-0-7611-7739-5 }}
* [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/11/lucid-dreaming-electric-scalp-stimulation-study ''Lucid dreaming can be induced by electric scalp stimulation, study finds''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320172609/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/11/lucid-dreaming-electric-scalp-stimulation-study |date=2021-03-20 }}
* [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-15-la-he-psychology-fads-20101115-story.html "A look at four psychology fads"]  – a comparison of [[Erhard Seminars Training|est]], [[primal therapy]], [[Transcendental Meditation]] and lucid dreaming at the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* {{Wikibooks inline|Lucid Dreaming}}

{{Dreaming}}
{{SleepSeries2}}
{{Jungian psychology}}
{{Jung}}
{{Sigmund Freud}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucid Dream}}
[[Category:Lucid dreams| ]]
[[Category:Analytical psychology]]
[[Category:Psychoanalytic terminology]]
[[Category:Psychoanalytic theory]]
[[Category:Symbols]]
[[Category:Sleep physiology]]
[[Category:Skills]]