LUCID DREAMING

Outline Discussion Questions Introduction History Characteristics of Lucid Dreaming Physiological Aspects Usefulness of Lucidity Methods of Induction Conclusion

Discussion Questions Could there be consciousness during sleep? Do we have deliberate control over our actions in dreams? What is the nature of imaginary worlds? Is lucid dreaming an altered state of consciousness?

Introduction What is lucid dreaming? Dreams in which you know that you are dreaming. Levels of lucid dreaming and awareness High-level lucidity Low-level lucidity How common are lucid dreams? "About 58% of the population have experienced a lucid dream at least once in their lifetime, while about 21% report it with some frequency (one or more a month). – Jayne Gackenbach

History 415 AD written in a letter by St. Augustine. Practiced by Tibetan Buddhists for a thousand years through a form of dream yoga 1913 Term coined by Frederick Van Eeden Modern research- Stephen LaBerge and Lynn Nagel of Stanford University

CHARACTERISITICS The beginning of lucidity is marked by distinct eye movements Occurs late during the REM sleep cycle Induced by some sort of “cue” Recognition of this “cue” is made possible by higher cortical arousal Waking up from a lucid dream feels more real than waking from a normal dream This is due to the higher cortical arousal experienced during lucid dreaming

PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS Is there a correspondence between actions of the dreamer and muscle activity and electrical responses? Dream Actions (Schatzman, Worsley, and Fenwick 1988)

Usefulness of Lucidity Adventure and Excitement Practice/Rehearsal Creative Problem Solving Therapeutic What is the nature of the dream world?

How long do dreams last? Methods of Induction Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreaming (MILD) Mindfulness External Signals Electric Shock to the wrist Dream Light (LaBerge 1985) How long do dreams last?