At bedtime it is normal to indulge in involuntary thoughts that have a noticeable influence on our emotions. Sometimes, the scenes that unfold while we sleep seem to be permanent unrealities. However, there are other types of circumstances under which the sensation occurs that everything is extremely real, even though we know that it is nothing more than a scene created by the imagination.
If this sounds familiar to you, you may have experienced these types of sensations at some point in your life. Therefore, we recommend that you continue reading to obtain more knowledge about this particular phenomenon. In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about What are lucid dreams and how to have them.
What are lucid dreams
Lucid dreams are those productions carried out by the mind during sleep in which the person who is dreaming is aware that the images, words and events that happen are part of the dream. In other words, lucid dreams have as their main feature that the person is lucid despite being asleep.
For this reason, during this type of dream it is possible to recognize that it is part of the dream and that the situations that occur are not real. However, it is important to understand that dreams always take data from the subconscious and are the basis on which dream scenarios are built.
If you want to know more about the subject, we recommend reading the guide “Exploring Lucid Dreaming”, a book written by Stephen LaBerge, a psychologist who pioneered the research of lucid dreaming. ¡Explore the phenomenon in depth of lucid dreams!
Why lucid dreams occur
Beyond the meaning that these types of dreams may have, it is interesting to know how they originate. To provide greater clarity regarding the information, below, we will explain the causes of lucid dreams:
- Psychological reasons: Lucid dreams arise from unconscious desires or fears that cannot be treated while awake. When this happens, the mind resorts to a defense mechanism called repression that produces forgetfulness of what is feared or desired. However, these productions return in the form of lucid dreams, since elements that are part of the person’s life are presented.
- Genetic reasons: During the sleep cycle the brain goes through a series of stages to rest and process all the information acquired during the day. According to various research carried out, lucid dreams take place during rapid eye movement sleep, since greater brain activity occurs during this time. In turn, the neural connections that intervene in this process participate actively, since they communicate faster compared to other stages of sleep.
How to have lucid dreams
Another aspect that generates deep interest lies in knowing ways to obtain this type of manifestations at bedtime. Next, we will show you how to have lucid dreams:
- Keep a dream log: so that you can know your own interior, it is essential that you know what dreams you often experience. To do this, it is advisable that you keep a record of the dreams you have to understand which ones are the most frequent and control them.
- Plan a sleep interruption: To have lucid dreams it is essential to set an alarm that wakes you up after having had a few hours of sleep. Once you fall asleep again, you will be more likely to experience the REM phase necessary for lucid dreams to occur.
- Mentalize yourself so that lucid dreaming occurs: this technique consists of thinking that you will have this type of dream when you fall asleep. It is important to project this desire so that it is taken over by the unconscious and a lucid dream is generated.
- Train perception: If you can identify the thoughts that arise during wakefulness, there will be a greater chance of this process repeating itself during the sleep cycle.
- Appeal to meditation: This technique allows greater concentration on the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that happen to a human being. If you produce a greater record of these qualities, you may have lucid dreams. In this article you will find all the information you need about and how to learn to do it well.
- write wishes: Write down any pending wishes you have. Once this is done, there will be a larger record of what is not completed. This material can be taken by the mind during rest and helps to have lucid dreams.
- Visualize dream control: This methodology consists of you saying out loud that you can control lucid dreaming. This way, you will become more involved in what is happening to them. Generally, visualization can be used to create dreams.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Salín-Pascual, R. (2015). Dream activity as “the new royal road” to consciousness. Mexican Journal of Neuroscience, 16 (1), 90-114.