For some, the idea of becoming conscious in their dreams and controlling them may seem completely far-fetched or absurd, like some esoteric belief or the elusive goal that an enthusiastic community pursues. After all, it nearly sounds like a magic power. Furthermore, altered states of consciousness often provoke skepticism and never fail to raise an eyebrow or two.

Lucid Dreaming in the Scientific World

Lucky for us, the concept of lucid dreaming has a base in scientific research, having been demonstrated by Prof. Stephen LaBerge, who pioneered the scientific study of lucid dreaming at Stanford University in the 1980s. His method for validating the existence of lucid dreaming involved a unique approach: monitoring the eye movement signals of dreamers [1]. He instructed participants in lucid dreams to perform specific eye movements, which could then be detected and recorded during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, providing concrete evidence of their conscious awareness during the dream state. This innovative approach not only proved the existence of lucid dreaming but also opened up new avenues for studying the connection between physical actions and dream content. LaBerge’s study has become very important in dream research. It has led to many other studies and has greatly improved our knowledge of how our mind works while we sleep.

Testimonials from Lucid Dreamers

Another convincing evidence is the multitude of testimonials from lucid dreamers in online communities, such as /r/LucidDreaming , with over half a million members. Every day, these communities discuss their lucid dreams, ideas, or new techniques to achieve them. On the survey side, according to a recent meta-analysis by Saunders et al. [2], 55% of adults report having experienced at least one lucid dream in their life, and 23% having at least one lucid dream per month. Maybe you remember having a similar experience once a long time ago, when you suddenly realized you were in a dream?

Try it yourself!

If you’re still skeptical, why not try achieving your first lucid dream? It’s easier than you might think—especially with an amazing app at your fingertips to guide you! 😁 It shouldn’t take more than a few days and doesn’t cost anything. Let the Lucidity App assist you step by step (check out the “How to Lucid Dream?” section) with various tools and provide you with an advanced dream journal for logging your experiences.

One thing is for sure: embarking on the quest for your first lucid dream is an exciting journey, as it prompts a deep dive into your psychology and unveils the capabilities of your brain. It is a true wonder of human psychology, still open with many mysteries and questions.

References

[1] LaBerge, S., Nagel, L. E., Dement, W. C., & Zarcone, V. P. (1981). Lucid dreaming verified by volitional communication during REM sleep. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 52(3), 727–732.

[2] Saunders DT, Roe CA, Smith G, Clegg H. Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50years of research. Conscious Cogn. 2016 Jul;43:197-215. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.06.002. Epub 2016 Jun 20. PMID: 27337287.