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Lucid Dreaming : FAQ

Lucid Dream FAQ

Common Question and Answers

  • What are lucid dreams?
    Lucid dreams begin as ordinary dreams, however at some point the sleeper becomes aware that they are dreaming. If they remain in the dream with this awareness it's called lucidity. Most people then find that they can control the dream and guide it where they want.

  • Who invented lucid dreams?
    No-one. People have been having lucid dreams as long as they have been dreaming. However the specific term "lucid dreams" appears to have been coined by Frederik van Eeden in his work "A Study of Dreams" which was published in the Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research in 1913.

  • Why do lucid dreams happen?
    No-one knows. During sleep brain is supposed to be unconsious, yet sometimes this can go wrong. The result is spontaneous lucid dreaming. People have developed techniques for deliberately inducing this "mistake" of the brain.

  • What can I do in a lucid dream?
    Anything! If you become lucid you will usually have total control of the dream - and it will feel completely real.

  • Are lucid dreams real?
    That's an interesting philosophical point. Most people consider lucid dreams to be "just" dreams. However some consider them a starting point for out of body experiences, shamanistic work, etc.

  • Are lucid dreams dangerous?
    For an otherwise healthy person I'm not aware of any evidence that lucid dreaming can be dangerous. If you do it too often you might end up a little tired, however the brain seems to compensate for that by not letting you get lucid too often. If you have any concerns, please consult your doctor.

  • Will I get stuck in the lucid dream?
    This is a common concern and a great source of inspiration for writers of fiction. In fact research has shown that dream time seems to run at the same rate as real time. It only seems longer because of the "time distort" effect. Most people actually report the opposite problem, that is...

  • I wake up too soon!
    When you start lucid dreaming you'll probably find that the shock of lucidity jolts you awake. Don't worry, give it time. The more often lucidity occurs the less likely it is to wake you up. Once you can stay in the lucid dream for even a short period you can extend it using the spin technique.

  • Do I need to buy any special equipment?
    No. It's quite possible to learn to have lucid dreams without any equipment other than your mind. However some people find the process is made easier by using tapes or gadgets such as the DreamMaker (a replacement for the old Nova Dreamer).

  • How do I learn to have lucid dreams?
    It's not difficult but it does usually take time - possibly months. I've written up a guide to lucid dreaming techniques.

If you have any concerns that lucid dreams might not be right for you, or if you suffer from any medical condition, please consult your doctor.



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