What Is A Lucid Nightmare ?

Several lucid dream researchers have highlighted what is a lucid nightmare. It is an unpleasant dream where the dreamer is aware but lacks the ability to deliberately influence events. The subconscious mind takes over and tries to use as much highly emotional graphic content as possible to communicate with the dreamer in a lucid nightmare. 

We should specify that ​​they are neither nightmares that turn into lucid dreams, nor are they lucid dreams in which consciousness is lost, and a nightmare takes control. This is a very specific and rare state of awareness in which we could learn a lot about our inner fears and repressions. Though it may be terrifying, we may participate in a form of this live dream interpretation and apply what we discover to our waking lives.

As a lucid dreamer, normally you would know that when you have clarity of thought, and you would be aware that you’re dreaming, you should also have the ability to willfully guide the dream. However, this is not the case with a lucid nightmare dream. 

If you ask what causes lucid nightmares, well, the answer is easy: your own conscience. It is known that lucid dreaming entails self-awareness in dreams. As most people find dream control to be a pleasant side effect, it comes with various degrees of intensity – and it is never fully under the control of the ego. You do not, for example, create every cloud in the sky, or every bird that flies over your head. Because in fact, the unconscious mind is quite active in lucid dreaming. When the unconscious decides to air some of your anxieties, there you go, you have a scary lucid dream. If you are lucid at that time, your heightened awareness of the coming events will increase. When this happens, you are still aware that you are dreaming, and the intensity of the dream is real. However, instead of consciously leading your dream, you become engulfed in a nightmare plot where you face your fears and anxieties – and begin consciously monitoring everything that occurs. Your unconscious is so powerful in its goal that you are not capable of controlling its manifestations. Maybe you ask yourself: can a lucid dream be scary? Indeed, it can if you have something to be scared of. In fact, many lucid dream researchers encourage lucid nightmares. Because they see this as an opportunity to face your inner fears and overcome them. Hence, you have this chance to enrich your waking and dream lives as a result. 

So if you wonder how to get a lucid nightmare to experience this unique journey to face your anxieties and fears deep inside you, we would suggest you first begin by being familiar with the lucid dream world, if you are a starter. As you practice more and experience lucid dreams more; it might only be a matter of time when you are going to have a lucid nightmare, as it is something that occurs without your intention. 

As a first step, to be able to have a lucid dream, you should have a habit of keeping a dream journal. As soon as you wake up from your dreams, you should write them down to become aware of them. Have your notebook and pen by your bed and write down everything you remember the moment you open your eyes. It may be hard to wake up and write your dreams by hand. Alternatively, Dreambook Journal may help you with that! Dreambook Journal is an application where you can take notes about your sleep patterns and the dreams you’ve had to become aware of them and to practice lucid dreaming. Download the Dreambook Journal now and start to have your unique journey!