Stress is a significant factor in increasing the frequency of lucid dreams (LDs). Because many researchers recognize this fact, they conduct experiments, for example, on students – that is, people who constantly live in a state of tension. German scientists Beate Klofat and Ulrich Steingen expanded the sample to prisoners: after all, they are also immersed in stress.
The authors sent proposals to several prisons, but only 33 prisoners from Hanover participated in the survey. As expected, many of them suffer from nightmares: 33% suffer from nightmares several times a week, and 21% suffer from nightmares almost every night. By the way, the more serious the crime, the more complaints about nightmares. Thieves and scammers usually sleep better than those who committed attacks and much better than those who face the death penalty.
The authors reported a surprisingly high frequency of lucid dreams: 63% noted that they were familiar with the LD world (against 51% among the general population). At the same time, many of them practice LDs constantly (48% practice LDs monthly, and 15% practice LDs weekly). However, the researchers noted that it is unclear which prisoners do it naturally and which ones are purposefully engaged.
One of the possible explanations for such a surge in LDs is a reaction to stress and an attempt to overcome trauma. In addition, LDs can diversify everyday life in the monotonous, limited daily life of incarceration. However, as the authors note, it would be useful to use this opportunity for psychotherapeutic purposes.
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The article was published in August 2023 in Somnologie.
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