Lucid Dreaming

Lucid dreaming is a dream in which one is aware that they are dreaming and in retrospect can control their dream. There are two ways one can have a lucid dream, either a Dream-initiated lucid dream (DILD) or a Wake-initiated lucid dream (WILD). A DILD occurs when one is in the state of dreaming, and consciously realizes that they are in a dream. A WILD happens when the dreamer goes from a waking state directly into a dreaming state; with no lapse of consciousness.

Lucid dreaming is interesting because very few people can actually do it. However it can be attained by external cues in a kind of classical conditioning. For example a study was done in the early 1970’s at South Dakota University, where the subject listened to a tape before and during sleep. They would use a muffed bell alarm, and bright light whenever the subject reached REM sleep; to try and provoke the lucid dreaming. It turned out that lucid dreaming can be provoked using external cues and psychological methods. Philosopher Norman Malcolm argued against the possibility of checking dream reports; saying the realization of the dreamer’s eyes affected their physical eyes. Proving that actions used while in full consciousness could be repeated in a lucid dream. Parapsychologist Keith Hearne proved this in the late 1970’s by testing a trained lucid dreamer Alan Worsley, who used rapid eye movements to contact that he was one the onset of lucidity; it was recorded by a Polysomnograph machine.



Author: Kyle Fagan