We all know that sleep is a big deal.
Thecognitive, physical, and emotional benefitsof snoozing are profound.
Enterlucid dreaming, a form of taking control of your own unconsciousness while you’re fast asleep.
Channing Smith / Allure
Although our bodies are technically off-dutywhen we sleep, our minds areextremelyalert during the REM phase.
This irony was not lost on scientists, which is why this phase is referred to asparadoxical sleep.
In fact, some of our brain functions during REM are identical to those that occurin wakefulness.
Ahead, learn how to access your psyche through lucid dreaming.
What is lucid dreaming?
With this awareness of your subconscious world, you could work towards having more agency over your dreams.
The practice of lucid dreaming is quite old ancient, in fact.
The phenomenon has been documented since classical antiquity (Aristotle himself mentioned the phenomena in his350 B.C.
treatise,On Dreams), with interest steadily increasing over time.
Since then, sleep and its phenomena have become a popular topic in modern science.
Why would someone want to control their dreams?
It could be fun, but it also could be terrifying.
While lucid dreaming, you’re the one in the driver’s seat.
What’s the theme?
Where does dream take place?
Who is part of the story?
In manycultures and religions, spirits rely on conduits todeliver messages.
But since your subconscious world isn’t tethered to form, loved ones more often visit us in dreams.
What does lucid dreaming feel like?
Becoming aware of consciousness, either in a dream or reality, can be unsettling, too.
This wakes up your subconscious to the practice."
Activating the senses andgrounding oneselfalso promotes lucid dreaming, and Ferlise encourages using adream journalto jumpstart your practice.
You also might want to try reality testing, which Cheung says is the most famous lucid dreaming technique.
(If you’ve seenInception, you’re probably already familiar.)
She provides the example of pressing one index finger into the other hand’s palm.
She explains that if you’re dreaming, the index finger might pass through your palm.
If you’re awake, it would touch your palm in a realistic way.
Is lucid dreaming dangerous?
The TL;DR: It is absolutely safe to lucid dream.
Cheung says that lucid dreams are not only perfectly safe but can actually bebeneficialto yourcreativity and health.
“It’s the ultimate high,” she says.
Added health benefits,studies show,include easing anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
You’ll just wake up, safe and sound… or keep right on dreaming.
Your subconscious mind vast, mysterious, and eternal is a huge part of your identity.
Through lucid dreaming, you’ve got the option to learn how to tap into your complete multidimensionality.
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