When dreams become reality

Chandler Christensen

Staff Writer

Lucid dreaming is a phenomenon that occurs when the

dreamer is aware that they are

dreaming, while having the ability to control the d

ream. In a sense, lucid dreamers are “awake”

within a dream.

 Although it might seem to be a rare occurrence, lucid dreaming happens quite often. In a 1988

  study, dream researchers Snyder & Gackenbach found

  that 20 percent of people said that they

  had a lucid dream at least once a month.

  Experiencing a lucid dream may seem impossible for

  many people–especially those who claim

  that they never remember their dreams. Luckily, there are tips and tricks to get on the right

  track towards having your first lucid dream.

  One popular technique is to keep a diligent dream journal. Each night, keep a pen and paper

  handy by your bed before you go to sleep. When you

  wake up, write down everything you can

  remember about your dreams.

The idea is that exercising dream recall daily will

help with awareness in a dreaming state,

which should make it easier to become awake within

a dream.

iWinks, a technology company, is currently manufact

uring an aid for lucid dreaming. Called

“Aurora,” this headband worn on the forehead at night monitors your brain waves during sleep.

When the device detects that you have entered REM sleep–the stage of sleep when dreaming

occurs most frequently–it flashes custom colored L

ED lights and music of your choice in order

to signal you within your dream that you are dreaming.

Lucid dreaming could also be used for drug addiction treatment. Austin Barrett, UVU Student

and former opiate addict, had a lucid dream in which he used opiates. “I woke up from the

dream feeling no desire to use that day. It seemed

to satisfy my craving for the drug,” said

Barrett.

Whether it’s exploring an unconscious dream world,

or feeling awake within a dream, lucid

dreaming is just one example of the complex nature

of the human brain. It may take practice,

but there are many possibilities that exist within

the realm of lucid dreaming.