Lucid dreams (LDs) provide an incredible range of possibilities, from healing to complete freedom. However, it is difficult to engage in this practice every day. To date, there is no reliable method guaranteed to induce LDs for all people. According to a researcher from the Netherlands, Nico Adelhöfer, all experimenters achieved success at a maximum of 50%.
According to the author, a breakthrough in this field will require methodological rigor so that scientists from different laboratories can combine the results and draw common conclusions. So far, the classic method is to use EEG and eye signals to confirm lucidity. However, scientists do it in different ways. To solve the problem, Adelhöfer suggests introducing the following standard:
– use a polysomnograph
– double-check (eye signals and an LD reports; an assessment of awareness by independent experts is desirable)
– cooperate with online communities of enthusiastic lucid dreamers in order to easily find a large sample of participants for the experiment
– use an EEG with multiple sensors (60 or more)
– provide an MRI image of the lucid dreamer’s head, as well as 3D scanning or 2D scanning from all sides
– give a clear task to the participant and agree that other eye movements should be minimized to improve the quality of the signal with the eyes
– save as much EEG data as possible in the waking state and ordinary (non-lucid) dream for comparison
LDs can be studied using surveys and questionnaires only with a large number of participants. Care must be taken to avoid false positive results. As the author notes, non-professionals tend to confuse LDs with “vivid dreams” or simply with memories of dreams.
In conclusion, despite the critical tone of the article, the researcher considers it important to emphasize that exciting discoveries in the field of LD are ahead of us. However, experiments observing clear rules should be carried out. If scientists overcome all the difficulties in collecting data, it will allow people to enjoy many benefits of the LD world.
What rule would you add?
The article was published in August 2023 in the journal Somnologie.
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