Lucid dream: Difference between revisions

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A number of universities conduct continued research into the techniques and effects of lucid dreaming, as do some independent agencies such as LaBerge's [[The Lucidity Institute]]. [[Jungian psychology]], for example, seems to indicate that non-lucid (or partly lucid) dreaming is a way to achieve self-understanding. At present, there are no known cases where lucid dreaming has caused damage on either a psychological or physiological level. However, it would be very difficult to determine whether some form of lucid dreaming might prevent one from receiving a benefit from normal dreaming.

TheIn 1867 the French Scientist Marquis d'Hervey-Saint-Denys (1822-1892) wrote under the cover of anonimity a book, entitle Les Reves et les Moyens de Les Diriger; Observations Pratiques (Dreams and How to Guide them; Practical Observations). It was all about lucid dreaming, but it did not get any attention at all. Sigmund Freud heard of it, but was never able to lay hands on it. After a long period of time, the first book on lucid dreams to recognize their uniqueness and scientific potential was [[Celia Green]]'s [[1968]] study ''Lucid Dreams''. Reviewing the past literature, as well as new data from subjects of her own, Green analysed the main characteristics of such dreams, and concluded that they were a category of experience quite distinct from ordinary dreams. She predicted that they would turn out to be associated with [[REM sleep]]. Green was also the first to link lucid dreams to the phenomenon of [[false awakening]]s.

The first scientific support for lucid dreaming came in the late [[1970s]] from the efforts of a British [[Parapsychology|parapsychologist]] [[Keith Hearne]], and a volunteer named [[Alan Worsley]], who used eye movement signals on a [[polysomnograph]] machine to signal the onset of lucidity. Philosopher [[Norman Malcolm]]'s [[1959]] text ''Dreaming'' argued against the possibility of checking the accuracy of dream reports in this way, but this experiment proved that actions agreed upon during waking life could be recalled and performed once lucid in a dream. Similar experiments were duplicated by [[Stephen LaBerge]] at [[Stanford University]] for his doctoral dissertation some years later. Interestingly, LaBerge had no knowledge of Hearne and Worsley's previous experiments at that time, probably due to the lack of publication of Hearne's work.