Lucid Dream Is- Dreams can also be referred to as sleeping flowers when talking about dreams, of course everyone has experienced dreams when they are deep asleep. Someone who is dreaming is usually not aware of what he is doing because it all happens in the subconscious mind that a person cannot control. However, in fact there is a dream phenomenon that causes a person to be aware and can feel what is going on in their dream world which is also called the Lucid Dream phenomenon .
Lucid dream is a state where a person feels the world of the subconscious or their dreams in real terms. This phenomenon, although it sounds a bit strange and tends to be scary, because after all, we can’t choose what dreams we want to experience. Is it a beautiful dream or a nightmare? Someone who experiences the lucid dream phenomenon can clearly feel it.
However, do you know that even though it sounds strange, this lucid dream phenomenon can be explained through medical explanations, you know, Sinaumed’s friends. So, for those of you who want to know more about the lucid dream phenomenon in detail, in this discussion we have summarized all the information regarding the lucid dream phenomenon along with interesting facts in it, the causes, benefits, and impact for someone who experiences it.
Further discussion of the lucid dream phenomenon can be listened to below!
What Does Lucid Dream Mean?
Lucid dream or can be interpreted as a conscious dream is a dream when a person is aware that he is dreaming. The term was coined by the Dutch psychiatrist and writer Frederik (Willem) van Eeden (1860-1932). With lucid dreaming, the dreamer can play an active role and change imaginary experiences in his dream world. Conscious dreams can feel real and alive.
Lucid dreams can occur in two ways. Dream-initiated lucid dreams (DILD) begin as normal dreams and the dreamer immediately concludes that they are dreaming, whereas wake-initiated lucid dreams (WILD) occur while the person is awake. dream transition from the waking state to the dream state. without feeling unconscious. Conscious dreams have been studied by science and their existence has been recognized.
Human sleep is divided into two stages: rapid eye movement (GMC) and non-rapid eye movement (GMTC). Like other types of dreams, lucid dreams often occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. This stage is a time when the brain is very active during sleep. These active brain waves cause a person to feel between sleep and wakefulness. Well, this condition causes the phenomenon of dreams, including lucid dreams. People who have lucid dreams will often remember the dream they had, even after they wake up. This is different from normal dreams which are often forgotten after waking up.
Even so, lucid dreaming is actually not something dangerous or something to be wary of. This type of dream is very common among adults. In addition, lucid dreams rarely have a negative impact on the health of the body. Like other dreams during sleep, sufferers of this condition often wake up in the morning without certain symptoms.
In addition to the natural phase, lucid dreams are also thought to be related to meditation habits. He said that people who meditate tend to experience lucid dreams more easily. Because meditation is believed to help a person become more relaxed and calm, can improve sleep quality and make life’s dreams more real.
Interesting Facts About Lucid Dreams
If you have ever had a lucid dream and are curious about it, here are some lucid dream facts that you should know:
1. The process of lucid dreaming
Basically, the sleep phase is divided into two, namely rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). During REM sleep, the eyelids are closed but the eyeballs are still moving and brain waves are still active. Meanwhile, the NREM sleep phase occurs when you start to fall into a deep sleep.
When you sleep, your brain waves are sometimes still active, so you stay in REM sleep longer. These active brain waves will make you feel you are between the stages of sleep and wakefulness. This condition causes dream phenomena, including lucid dreams.
2. Lucid dreams are different from ordinary dreams
In a normal dream, one may forget the details of the dream story the next day. However, when someone experiences a lucid dream it is different. Someone who experiences a lucid dream will remember every detail of the dream he is experiencing and it is as if he is experiencing the events in his dream. This is what allows a person to control the lucid dreams they experience.
3. Lucid dreaming is not a pathology
Lucid dreams are not a health problem that you need to be aware of. According to a study, almost everyone has had a lucid dream at least once in their life. In fact, a survey shows that around 55% of adults have had lucid dreams.
Even though it doesn’t have a negative impact on physical health, in some cases and in the long term, frequent lucid dreams can affect a person’s mental health. For example, causing sleep disorders such as sleep paralysis or sleep disorders, as well as anxiety and depression disorders.
4. Meditation and lucid dreaming
Research shows that people who meditate regularly are more likely to have lucid dreams. This is because meditation activities can train a person to be more relaxed and calm so that the quality of sleep becomes better and the lucid dreams he experiences can become more real.
However, it is also theorized that meditators often more easily tap into theta brainwave patterns. This brain wave pattern is formed during REM sleep, which is the sleep stage when a person easily dreams, including lucid dreams.
Based on the facts about lucid dreaming above, it can be said that this phenomenon is not a dangerous condition and is not related to some myths or mysteries, especially if you only experience it once.
Even so, if you have the same dream or lucid dream repeatedly, especially if you have experienced trauma, it is likely that the dream is a symptom of a psychological disorder, such as Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Therefore, if you often experience lucid dreams accompanied by sleep disturbances or have certain psychological problems, you should see a doctor to determine the cause and get the appropriate treatment.
Negative Impact After Experiencing Lucid Dreams
In addition to unusual hallucinations, here’s a brief review of some of the adverse effects of lucid dreaming or lucid dreaming that you should be aware of below:
1. Energy Drain
Someone who experiences a lucid dream will drain a lot of body energy after waking up from the dream. Because during sleep, only your body rests and your mind, your brain is always forced to be active and very focused.
Well, it is definitely not good for the health of the human immune system. Indeed, in addition to the body that needs rest, so does the human mind, that is, it needs healthy rest at the right time.
2. It’s hard to wake up from a dream
People dream awake, if they are not controlled it will be difficult to wake up from their dreams. Even though the alarm clock is very loud, it is still difficult for you to wake up from a lucid dream. This is caused by sleep dissatisfaction, or fatigue as we call it.
3. It is difficult to distinguish between dreams and reality
Called derealization, is the feeling of being alive in reality but apparently not being real. Vice versa, in a dream it seems real, but it is not. This is also due to the fatigue factor that is too deep.
At this factor, it will be difficult for us to distinguish between dreams and reality.
4. Sleep quality is getting worse
Because you are sleeping consciously, your brain is automatically forced to work.
This can worsen the quality of your sleep. Apart from lucid dreaming, you will feel weak and still sleepy. So don’t abuse this lucid dream method, Sinaumed’s friends
5. The memory of the brain decreases
Conscious dreams, in addition to reducing the quality of your sleep, can also reduce the brain’s ability to remember.
Well, the cause of decreased brain memory is because the neurons in the brain stimulate fantasies too often, including lucid dreams.
6. Lucid Dreams are addictive
One of the negative effects of lucid dreaming is that it can be addictive.
When you are addicted to the world of lucid dreaming, you will often feel sleepy and avoid real-world activities. Dissociation or disconnection from the outside environment can be caused by too many lucid dreaming methods.
Of course, this can be a physical and mental challenge for you.
Well, this lucid dream should not be used too often, friend Sinaumed’s, just use it for entertainment or needs so that it is not affected or dangerous by the lucid dream.
The health benefits of lucid dreaming
Lucid dream is said to have its own benefits. One of the benefits is for therapy. In this case, lucid dreaming or the ability to control dreams is said to help overcome nightmares. In fact, the right therapy should be able to overcome recurring nightmares.
Meanwhile it will affect the condition of the body and quality of life. Applying lucid dream therapy with the help of a therapist gives a person self-control. This includes dreams or nightmares. Apart from overcoming nightmares, this therapy also has the potential to help overcome anxiety disorders or obsessions with certain things.
When someone has a lucid dream, he realizes that this is not the real world. So that he is more flexible and has the courage to explore it. Over time, this sense of courage fostered by dream therapy can then be transferred to the real world. However, not everyone is suitable for this type of therapy. Because under certain conditions, it is very difficult for a person to distinguish between dreams and reality
Here are some studies showing that lucid dreaming has beneficial health effects, including:
1. Overcoming nightmares
Just like any other type of dream, nightmares happen to everyone. However, recurring nightmares can cause stress and anxiety.
Lucid dreams have the power to overcome nightmares because they allow a person to control the dreams they experience. Furthermore, a person who realizes that he is dreaming will easily realize that the nightmare is not real.
Sweet dreams are commonly used in Image Repetition Therapy (IRT). This therapy helps patients to re-imagine the nightmares they often experience by coming up with different and more interesting stories.
In addition, IRT can also be combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve dream control.
2. Reduce anxiety
Slightly different from the previous point, lucid dreams can also reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, both of which occur due to nightmares or other causes.
Indeed, lucid dreams allow you to manipulate dreams and create situations in them. With lucid dreaming, you can practice dealing with things that cause anxiety in the real world.
3. Improve motor skills
Lucid dreaming has the potential to have a positive impact on a person’s physical recovery and motor skills.
A 2013 study found that mental motor skills can enhance physical abilities. This fact allows people with disabilities to improve their physical abilities in lucid dreaming.
4. Stimulate creativity
Lucid dream allows the dreamer to explore and create anything in his dreams. This can be a fun way to explore ideas and creativity.
How do you have a lucid dream?
Some people may want to dream lucidly and benefit from it. Here are some ways to increase your chances of having a lucid dream:
- Get more sleep during the REM phase by increasing the quality of your sleep each night. You can improve sleep quality by setting a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding using electronic devices before bed, avoiding overeating and caffeine before bed, and creating a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere in your bedroom.
- Keep a journal about the dream you had. Focusing on the dreams you’re having will increase your awareness of when you’re dreaming.
- Practice the Induced Mindful Dream Technique (MILD), which involves repeatedly telling yourself that you are about to dream and that you know what dreams are about.
- Do a reality check, which is taking a test to determine if you are dreaming or awake.
How to wake up from a lucid dream
Sometimes you may want to wake up from a lucid dream. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Shouting or talking loudly in a dream can wake up the brain
- Continuous blinking can help you mentally prepare to wake up from sleep
- Deep sleep in a dream
- Reading signs or books in dreams can activate parts of the brain that are not used during REM
Conclusion
So a brief discussion about the meaning of lucid dreaming. Not only understanding the meaning of lucid dreaming, but further discussing the causes, effects, benefits, and ways to do lucid dreams and wake up from these lucid dreams.
Knowing what the phenomenon of lucid dreaming is gives us knowledge that this is a normal thing, not something strange or mystical because it has received in-depth research from a medical point of view. And it is known that lucid dreaming can also be a useful benefit for the body.