The Science of Lucid Dreaming and How to Learn to Control Your Dreams. The Science of Lucid Dreaming. Psychophysiology of Lucid Dreaming. By Stephen LaBerge, Ph.D. Lucid Dreaming Physiologically Verified Although we are not usually explicitly aware of the fact that we are dreaming while we are dreaming, at times a remarkable exception occurs, and we become conscious enough to realize that we are dreaming. "Lucid" dreamers (the term derives from van Eeden, 1913) report being able to freely remember the circumstances of waking life, to think clearly, and to act deliberately upon reflection, all while experiencing a dream world that seems vividly real (Green, 1968; LaBerge, 1985; Gackenbach & LaBerge, 1988).
This is all in contrast to the usual past characterization of dreams as typically lacking any reflective awareness or true volition (Rechtschaffen, 1978). Lucid dreaming is normally a rare experience. Though most people report having had a lucid dream at least once in their lives, only about 20% of the population reports having lucid dreams once a month or more (Snyder & Gackenbach, 1988). Figure 1. Figure 2. Lucid dreaming: a state of consciousness with features... [Sleep. 2009. Lucid dreamers help scientists locate the seat of meta-consciousness in the brain. Studies of lucid dreamers show which centers of the brain become active when we become aware of ourselves in dreams. Which areas of the brain help us to perceive our world in a self-reflective manner is difficult to measure. During wakefulness, we are always conscious of ourselves. In sleep, however, we are not. But there are people, known as lucid dreamers, who can become aware of dreaming during sleep.
Studies employing magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) have now been able to demonstrate that a specific cortical network consisting of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the frontopolar regions and the precuneus is activated when this lucid consciousness is attained. All of these regions are associated with self-reflective functions. This research into lucid dreaming gives the authors of the latest study insight into the neural basis of human consciousness. Studies of lucid dreamers show which centers of the brain become active when we become aware of ourselves in dreams. LUCID DREAMING AS A LEARNABLE SKILL: A CASE STUDY. Sérgio A. Mota-Rolim, John F. Araujo. (2013) Neurobiology and clinical implications of lucid dreaming. Medical Hypotheses81:5, 751-756Online publication date: 1-Nov-2013. CrossRef Charles D. Tadas Stumbrys, Daniel Erlacher, Melanie Schädlich, Michael Schredl. (2012) Induction of lucid dreams: A systematic review of evidence.
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