Neuroscientists reveal method to train people to have lucid dreams — and it involves virtual reality and mediation
People who had no recollection of a lucid dream over the past three years developed the skill after one month of performing a novel training regimen twice a week, neuroscientists report.
Lucid dreaming, a skill that allows dreamers to be aware they are in a dream and sometimes control its direction, can be trained, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Trento in Italy used virtual reality (VR) simulations of bizarre situations twice a week for one month to train participants. Cognitive neuroscientist Daniel Morris from Northwestern University, who was not involved in the study, believes lucid dreaming can help people with nightmares feel more in control.
Previous methods, including meditation and reality checks, have had mixed results because they don't reliably trigger lucid dreaming. This study aimed to address that issue by incorporating VR simulations into the training process. Participants meditated and then performed reality checks in VR to increase their awareness of bizarre dream elements.
After the training, they reported lucid dreaming four times more often than those in the control groups. The researchers also found that participants recalled fewer dreams overall but had the most lucid dreams, possibly due to the mental energy required for lucid dreaming. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic benefits of lucid dreaming training for conditions like nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD.
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