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We are usually unaware that we are dreaming when we do so, and even the most implausible events, people, and locations seem genuine to us.
However, now and again, some of us become aware that we are dreaming while sleeping. This phenomenon is known as lucid dreaming, and it has piqued the curiosity of both scientists and the general public. Let’s look at the science of lucid dreaming.
Believe it or not, there is a science behind lucid dreaming. Learning to influence portions of your dreams may be a fun opportunity to do things you’d never try in real life, face and overcome anxieties, and get insight into your subconscious.
We’ll take that debate a step further in this post, looking at some of the science underpinning lucid dreaming. So read on if you’re curious about how often lucid dreams are, who is more prone to them and why, and what occurs in the brain during a lucid dream.
How Often Do People Lucid Dream?
The science behind lucid dreaming starts with statistics. Although the exact number of persons who have lucid dreams is unknown, researchers have produced estimated numbers based on personal testimonies obtained via their study. According to estimations from a 2017 research, 51 percent of people in a typical population have had a lucid dream at least once in their life, with around 20 percent having lucid dreams at least once a month (1)
People are more prone to have spontaneous lucid dreams throughout their youth, beginning at 3 and 4 years old, according to the same research. Lucid dreaming, on the other hand, tends to fade in early adolescence. The occurrence of spontaneous lucid dreaming beyond the age of 25 seems to be quite rare.
The science of lucid dreaming suggests that personality qualities may be able to determine whether or not a person would have lucid dreams.
Lucid dreaming usually happens during the REM (rapid eye movement) period of sleep, which is also when most ordinary dreams happen. Neurochemical differences likely play a role in “turning on” areas of our awareness that are normally “turned off.”
Scientific Ways to Lucid Dream
The most significant predictor of lucid dreams is general dream recollection. This indicates that specific dietary modifications may increase the likelihood that individuals will not only remember their ordinary dreams when they wake up but also that they will be able to easily transform regular dreams into lucid dreams.
Meditation is another aspect that may influence a person’s ability to have lucid dreams. According to 2015 research, persons who had been practicing meditation for a long time had more lucid dreams (2).
Another important and useful way to lucid dreams is to write down your dreams. If you write down your dreams in a dream journal, you will have a higher chance of lucid dreaming. Dreambook App is the best option for an online dream journal if you are looking for one. Dreambook is easy to use, has great categorization, and has reminders!
References:
1: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326496
2: https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/researchers-exchange-messages-with-dreamers-68477