More of us are aspiring to control our dreams purely for pleasure. But emerging science suggests that it could also help alleviate PTSD symptoms.
Put simply, Lucid Dreaming is when you’re fully aware of the fact that you’re dreaming. You remember your body is asleep, yet you’re in the dreamscape; this can allow you to gain control over elements within the dream.
One of my clients, who we’ll name Iris, frequently dreams about earthquakes. What should be a horrible nightmare can quickly transform into a fun experience thanks to her ability to alter her dreams. Iris once morphed herself into an eagle, flying high above the earthquake and on to safety.
According to research, one in every five people have lucid dreams regularly (around one per month). So how can you do it? One of the best-known techniques is “reality testing,” which involves asking yourself regularly during the day whether you’re dreaming. You can incorporate an action to help, such as saying: “if my finger stretches when I pull it, I know I’m dreaming,” The goal is for this test to flow over into your actual dreams.
Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreaming is another technique. Every time you wake from a typical dream, look for the so-called “dream signs”—anything that was strange or unlikely. Then, when you next fall asleep, see yourself in that dream and tell yourself over and over: “Next time I dream, I’ll remember to recognise that I’m dreaming.” According to certain studies, you would ideally wake up after a few hours and practise for an entire hour before going back to sleep. This is known as WBTB – Wake Back to Bed.
Recent studies have started to investigate whether lucid dreaming can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manage their symptoms, including nightmares. PTSD is a crippling disorder and notoriously challenging to treat. Because an individual’s mind and body doesn’t understand the traumatic incident is in the past, a person with PTSD may have a heightened stress response and difficulties feeling safe. Flashbacks and nightmares of the traumatic event can haunt them, along with intrusive thoughts, dissociation, negative emotional reactions, and a bunch of other symptoms.
According to some theories, lucid dreams can help people with PTSD face traumatic memories in a safer environment because the brain and body’s stress responses are at their lowest while sleeping.
A pilot study recently explored whether attending a lucid dreaming workshop, which teaches the learnable skill, could lessen the symptoms of PTSD.
The study aimed to determine whether internally created intentions can affect our physiology and aid healing. 49 adults were recruited with persistent PTSD symptoms. They participated in a six-day online lucid dreaming healing workshop, learning about neurobiology, mindfulness techniques, sleep hygiene, improving dream memory, and various lucid dream induction methods. The workshop also included yoga Nidra, quiet reflection, guided meditation, and lucid dreaming exercises, planning, and sharing. Participants recorded their dreams for six days, then followed up one month after the workshop.
Since certain saliva markers can indicate stress levels, researchers collected samples from a subgroup of patients according to PTSD symptoms and well-being indicators. They suggested that stress markers would lower the morning after a healing lucid dream.
The study found that after the workshop, participants reported fewer PTSD symptoms and nightmares, and these effects held true even at the one-month follow-up. However, it cannot be confirmed that all of the positive effects were directly caused by lucid dreaming.
The researchers discovered that, compared to controls, people who had healing lucid dreams showed a decreased stress reaction in their saliva samples. These early results are encouraging, although further study is required due to the study’s small sample size.
Most participants (76%) had at least one lucid dream while participating in the study. Half of these also said it was a healing lucid dream, meaning they were able to remember their dream strategy for experiencing healing during the dream.
So, what does this all mean? Well, this preliminary study tells us that lucid dreaming has the potential to reduce PTSD symptoms that plague so many people, as well as improve overall well-being. The emerging science could make room for further research and expand PTSD treatments to include lucid dreaming. This really highlights the intricate connection between our bodies, minds, states of conscious awareness, and personal healing.
References:
- Saunders DT, Roe CA, Smith G, Clegg H. Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research. Conscious Cogn. 2016 Jul;43:197-215. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.06.002. Epub 2016 Jun 20. PMID: 27337287.
- Garret Yount1, Tadas Stumbrys2, Konstantin Koos3, David Hamilton1, & Helané Wahbeh1
1Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA USA 94116
2Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
3Rua de Volta do Ocaso n. 7 ,Vilamoura, Quarteira 8125-536, Portugal
Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
Melanie Oborne is a psychologist and researcher who has a passion for bringing together clinical practices, scientific research, and spiritual paradigms to enhance individual well-being. Since 2018, Melanie has assisted clients to integrate their transpersonal and/or paranormal experiences. Melanie currently conducts qualitative research with the Shared Crossing Project based in Santa Barbara, California.
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
