[neKo]

After reading this thread I'm legitimately scared

[dKiWi]

Originally Posted by neko

After reading this thread I'm legitimately scared

lucid dreaming is one of those commonly explored themes on horror/paranormal text and image boards on the internet. It is one of those less scary ones, though. I'm surprised someone started a thread about it here. I would be even more surprised if someone shared their actual experiences.

It is dangerous because you might get addicted to it and never want to wake up. The thrill involved is of course getting into the state in the first place.

[Sedz]

A test I used to do was write a letter on my hand, whenever I saw that letter in real life on my hand, I would touch something solid, based on the theory that if you were dreaming, the objects you touch do not feel 'solid' and therefore if you happened to look at your hand in your dream, you would jump into habit and touch something, and recognise it does not feel solid and therefore would realise you were dreaming.

It worked okay. The first two times I did it I realised I was dreaming, which caused a jump of excitement which woke me up.

A few times after this I managed to control excitement and the dream, they're pretty amazing.

I ended up not continuing on with my routine and got out of the habit, that was about 2 years ago.

Occasionally I will have dreams where I tell myself I am dreaming, I am in a dream, but not realise what I've just said therefore I won't be able to control it.

[wTlzq]

The start of inception

[Welshy]

I am dreaming within my own dream lol so messed up

[gandalf5000]

Originally Posted by FvRsolis

Except, when I do it now.. I feel like I haven't slept, so I generally avoid it aha.

Everyone I've spoken to about it says the same thing, I don't get enough sleep as it is tho, but at the same time i'm still curious

[TAEdarus]

Sleep Paralysis
I've encountered sleep paralysis three times in my life and basically the short of it is you wake up, however the mechanism where your brain 'disconnects' from your body (to prevent you acting out your dreams and potentially injuring yourself) doesn't stop.

So people wake up without control over much other than their eyes and breathing.

Coupled with this having just awoken during a REM cycle (thats when it happens) your brain is still hyper-active and semi-dreaming, leading to hallucinations and other sensory perceptions which are false.

Most people experience a "presence" (the feeling you're being watched / someones in the room with you) and also feelings of chest compression, fear and hopelessness in more extreme cases.

The fun part is trying to call out and not being able to do more than very quietly moan, then trying to move and realising you can't do anything cept look around in the dark room with your eyes. I usually cure this by falling back asleep and letting my body work itself out.

Lucid Dreaming
As for lucid dreaming i've only had it four or five times... Protip how to shortcut to lucid dreaming? Nicotine patches worn overnight (daytime full-strength ones).

For some reason (and there have been studies into this but I forget the reasoning) leaving a patch on when you go to sleep allows this. Theres even warnings on the packets saying something like "wearing while sleeping may induce vivid / lucid dreams in some individuals".

Nothing like taking a boring dream from watching a family dinner to goin all Dragonball Z on their asses and blowin' shit up

[TCPKiaSu]

this is so interesting.... yes I've had this dream where I was stuck in my house and I realized it was a dream but I couldn't get out of it no matter what I tried

[TAEdarus]

Originally Posted by TCPKiaSu

this is so interesting.... yes I've had this dream where I was stuck in my house and I realized it was a dream but I couldn't get out of it no matter what I tried

Had something similar to that as a child... I opened the door to leave my room and it was blocked on the other end with shelves and squishy stuff...

Turned out I was awake and trying to exit my room via the wardrobe - massive panic attack ensued until I worked it out! Thankfully, Narnia was not located in my wardrobe or I woulda been MORE screwed!

[TCPKiaSu]

Originally Posted by TAEdarus

Sleep Paralysis I've encountered sleep paralysis three times in my life and basically the short of it is you wake up, however the mechanism where your brain 'disconnects' from your body (to prevent you acting out your dreams and potentially injuring yourself) doesn't stop.

does this have relation to sleep walking? because it's like the brain somehow connects back to the body and the body is reaction with the dream

[TAEdarus]

Originally Posted by TCPKiaSu

does this have relation to sleep walking? because it's like the brain somehow connects back to the body and the body is reaction with the dream

Honestly I have no idea haha!

Off to wikipedia, brb!

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder belonging to the parasomnia family.[2] Sleepwalkers arise from the slow wave sleep stage in a state of low consciousness and perform activities that are usually performed during a state of full consciousness.

So with sleepwalking you awaken before REM sleep (different sleep cycle to sleepwalking)... Similar idea, except you're barely concious and I guess muscle memory / routine / instinct take over. This differs to Sleep Paralysis as Sleep Paralysis you're fully concious and aware, but rather your body is 'disconnected' from your brain, yet your brain is still experiencing some of the bonus hallucination effects of dreaming.

Quick Comments

TCPKiaSu:

cool

[crAzerk]

I actually read about this some years ago and it fascinated me so I went to look for tutorials as to how to lucid dreaming.

One method it suggests is that you lie on your bed when you are really sleepy (as Light says) and as your eyes drift close you quickly jerk it open to rouse yourself and continue staring at the ceiling or something. Keep doing this and you eventually slip into the lucid dreaming mode.

I've tried this a few times but gave up after it didn't work. I've had several semi-lucid dreams (most of them involves flying) but most lucid ones I've had quickly resulted in me waking up (almost always involving me looking for a toilet and needing to pee then I wake up and need to go and pee)

[NDG.Stitch]

Definitely real. Happens a lot to me, usually with crushes but that's a secret.

Quick Comments

TCPKiaSu:

same ;)