A young boy stands at the peak of a cliff. He looks over the edge with no discernible ground below. The boy smiles, lifts his arms, and falls into oblivion. Soon the boy feels the pressure on his back as he is flung back up even higher than the cliff he was previously on. He slows to a stop and stays there, floating among the clouds. Many dreamers wish for this boy’s freedom, the freedom of lucid dreaming. The idea of being aware while dreaming and being able to consciously influence dream content is an envy of many. However, to lucid dream a dreamer must learn what parts of their brain are at work while dreaming, practice lucid dream inducing techniques, and understand its’ important therapeutic properties
The state of a dreamer's brain while …show more content…
People can use many techniques to trick their brain into lucid dreaming. The first is to stay in control; “Once someone loses a grip on what’s going on the dreamer will lose their ability to control the dream” (Tuccillo, Dylan, et al.). The second is to keep a dream journal; once someone starts to write down their dreams it helps the brain realize the difference between fantasy and reality. This is very important, once the dreamer starts to question reality it will soon become a habit and sooner or later the thought will come to them while dreaming and once they realize they are dreaming, they immediately snap into a state of lucid dreaming. However, to lucid dream, brain training is crucial and as any training, it will take time. “Many people had to practice for months (or even years depending on the individual) to lucid dream” …show more content…
In some experiments to end nightmares, they tested drugs, however drugs often made the dreams worse. The chemicals they were using to end nightmares only fueled them. “The prescription was meant to end all dreaming in patients however, this backfired and the brain had its’ own ideas” (Holzinger, B., et al.). The hospital researchers decided to try something new. The doctors had decided to put their patients through therapy and lucid dreaming practice. “Lucid dreaming made therapy for nightmares more effective” (Carr). Lucid dreaming is now the number one therapy treatment for overwhelming nightmares.
Lucid dreaming is something anyone can achieve by understanding brain functions of both regular and lucid dreaming, train with lucid dreaming skills, and realize the advantages of this dream state. Lucid dreaming may be used as therapy for nightmares, but there are many other benefits. Lucid dreaming can help with insomnia, be used to explore one’s psyche with dreams and even help a dreamer overcome inner-demons. However, one can only know the personal benefits by trying.
Carr, Michelle. "It Was Just a Dream..." Swansea University Sleep Laboratory, 18 Feb. 2017.
The state of a dreamer's brain while …show more content…
People can use many techniques to trick their brain into lucid dreaming. The first is to stay in control; “Once someone loses a grip on what’s going on the dreamer will lose their ability to control the dream” (Tuccillo, Dylan, et al.). The second is to keep a dream journal; once someone starts to write down their dreams it helps the brain realize the difference between fantasy and reality. This is very important, once the dreamer starts to question reality it will soon become a habit and sooner or later the thought will come to them while dreaming and once they realize they are dreaming, they immediately snap into a state of lucid dreaming. However, to lucid dream, brain training is crucial and as any training, it will take time. “Many people had to practice for months (or even years depending on the individual) to lucid dream” …show more content…
In some experiments to end nightmares, they tested drugs, however drugs often made the dreams worse. The chemicals they were using to end nightmares only fueled them. “The prescription was meant to end all dreaming in patients however, this backfired and the brain had its’ own ideas” (Holzinger, B., et al.). The hospital researchers decided to try something new. The doctors had decided to put their patients through therapy and lucid dreaming practice. “Lucid dreaming made therapy for nightmares more effective” (Carr). Lucid dreaming is now the number one therapy treatment for overwhelming nightmares.
Lucid dreaming is something anyone can achieve by understanding brain functions of both regular and lucid dreaming, train with lucid dreaming skills, and realize the advantages of this dream state. Lucid dreaming may be used as therapy for nightmares, but there are many other benefits. Lucid dreaming can help with insomnia, be used to explore one’s psyche with dreams and even help a dreamer overcome inner-demons. However, one can only know the personal benefits by trying.
Carr, Michelle. "It Was Just a Dream..." Swansea University Sleep Laboratory, 18 Feb. 2017.