Narcolepsy is often mistaken for a mental disorder. This disease is accompanied by increased daytime drowsiness, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Researchers from Spain—Dresda E. Méndez de la Brena and Cornelia Schoenmann—decided to study lucid dreaming (LD) as a method of dealing with these unpleasant symptoms.
The possibility of using LD as a way to cope with nightmares has been repeatedly investigated by scientists. The contribution of LD to solving creative problems is also well known. However, as Méndez de la Brena and Schoenmann add, narcoleptics require a special approach for working with dreams, thoughts, and imagery.
For patients with narcolepsy, LD is an opportunity to resist the frightening elements in nightmares and change the plot of their dream. Ultimately, this will strengthen the ability of sufferers to function and manage their lives.
Using the example of one of the authors (Cornelia Schoenmann), researchers show how a narcoleptic can divert terrible hallucinations into a positive direction. For example, Schoenmann had a dream of meeting a frightful old witch. Having become conscious in the dream and being able to control the plot, Schoenmann started up a discussion with the witch. As a result, she not only stopped being afraid, but also received information from the character of her dream.
As the authors add, the condition of narcoleptics makes them experience nightmares more often and differently than most people. Their hallucinations almost always include terrifying demons or monsters. Therefore, lucid dreaming, in this case, could prove a creative tool for survival.
Do you have any experience in dealing with nightmares with the help of lucid dreams?
The article was published in September 2021 in the journal Sociología y tecnociencia.
