Why do some people slip into lucid dreams effortlessly, while others have to train hard to achieve them? Could there be a natural predisposition or certain personality traits that make this practice easier for some people? American researchers Michael Varnum and Clara Varnum explored whether our character, personal needs, and even cognitive abilities influence our success in lucid dreaming.
The authors confirmed what previous studies have suggested: namely, that people who are open to new experiences not only tend to have more nightmares, but they also achieve lucidity more easily. In other words, the more curious, creative, and receptive you are to the unusual, the better your chances of controlling your dreams. The link to nightmares suggests that even negative dream experiences can help develop the ability to take control—perhaps because facing fear in a dream prompts awareness and action.
A vivid imagination may also play a role. If you can easily form detailed mental images, then you will be able to create and guide your dreams more naturally than other people. A strong need for intellectual engagement also helps—enjoying thinking, analyzing, and tackling complex questions is linked to lucid dreaming success. Interestingly, academic performance is another potential factor, as the ability to learn and process information might support a person’s understanding of what’s happening in the dream state.
How closely do you match the portrait of an ideal lucid dreamer?
The article was published in July 2025 in Dreaming.
Get all the latest news about lucid dreams via our channels on Telegram, Facebook, Twitter
