Recurring nightmares are not just unpleasant; they can harm one’s mental well-being in the long run. In theory, getting rid of this stress is easy: simply wake up. However, a person cannot make decisions in a regular dream, meaning they cannot voluntarily wake up. American scientists Cameron Sandell, Ken Paller, and Remington Mallett—the latter two of whom actively study lucid dreams (LDs)—propose using dream control to stop nightmares.
Research on the use of LDs for psychological purposes has been conducted before. However, the authors decided to assess the success of such attempts with specific figures. They divided participants into two groups: one group was instructed to intentionally wake up by closing their eyes, while the other group was instructed to clench their fists.
The results showed that closing the eyes was more effective: volunteers in this group reported waking up more frequently. The researchers also found that the higher the level of lucidity, the earlier a person would wake up.
Contrary to traditional belief, people are capable of intentionally waking up. The researchers believe that this discovery can help many individuals overcome their fear of nightmares and reduce the psychological and physiological consequences associated with them. However, science is still searching for new and more effective methods for promoting healthy sleep.
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The article was published in May 2023 in Sleep.
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