Lucid Dreaming Gains Traction as Potential Therapy,But Experts Caution Against risks
SAN FRANCISCO - A growing body of research suggests lucid dreaming – the ability to be aware you are dreaming while in a dream – may offer therapeutic benefits,notably for those plagued by nightmares. While the practice has long been a subject of interest, recent studies and anecdotal evidence are fueling increased interest in techniques to intentionally induce these conscious dream states. Tho, experts caution that lucid dreaming isn’t without potential risks and may not be suitable for everyone.
Some preliminary studies indicate lucid dreaming could help individuals struggling with recurring nightmares by providing a means to control dream content. A 2019 study concluded that lucid dreaming “might potentially be a feasible aid for treating patients with nightmares through minimizing their frequency, intensity, and psychological distress,” though researchers noted “the available literature is still scarce, and provides inconsistent results.”
Clara Varnum shares a personal experience with using lucid dreams to address nightmares. “I’ve had lucid dreams before and most of them were nightmares. so I’ve mostly tried to stop things from happening or to wake myself up,” she says. She also notes an unintended result: “But sometimes, I’ve accidentally said, ‘I’m dreaming’ and made a good dream end.”
Experts generally consider lucid dreaming safe, but recommend caution for individuals with pre-existing sleep disorders or parasomnia, advising consultation with a sleep specialist before attempting induction techniques. Michael Varnum emphasizes this point. Additionally, Pavlou warns that individuals “in a current psychotic episode, mania, or with severe dissociative symptoms should only experiment under clinical guidance, if at all.”
One recent experiment involved a two-week period of intentional dream induction. The individual, following recommendations from researcher Denholm Paller, set a nightly intention to lucid dream. While resulting in several vivid dreams – including scenarios involving a sinking castle and a raccoon rescuer, and Cate Blanchett on a submarine – awareness of the dream state didn’t initially occur. However, a discrepancy in a dream-based credit score triggered the realization of being in a dream, leading to a brief period of flight.The experience, however, was described as less exhilarating than anticipated, as the knowledge of being in a dream diminished the sense of wonder.
