This is the second article in a series that starts with the question: Is lucid dreaming safe? One of most frequent arguments against lucid dreaming is the notion that lucidity disturbs the process—and the function—of dreaming. It’s a strange … [Read more...] about Is lucid dreaming unnatural?
Dream & Sleep Research
Do dreams have meaning? A quick tour of the dreaming brain
Sigmund Freud is considered the father of dream science, even though most of his dream theory is largely discredited today. But from the get-go Freud assumed that dreaming was an expression of the mind-brain system, a premise still widely accepted by … [Read more...] about Do dreams have meaning? A quick tour of the dreaming brain
Archaeodreaming: lucid dreaming as a tool for exploring sacred sites
In the late 1990s, I trained as a field archaeologist. For the better part of a decade, I was part of a merry crew that roamed the forests and mountains of the US, surveying for archaeological sites and excavating them. My work took me from the … [Read more...] about Archaeodreaming: lucid dreaming as a tool for exploring sacred sites
Neuroscience of Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming research is growing up. At least, that is Allan Hobson's take on the recent burst of scientific studies published on conscious dreaming. Once a myth of Carlos Castaneda, and then a topic guaranteed to instantly transport researchers to … [Read more...] about Neuroscience of Lucid Dreaming
The Mystery of Hypnagogia
Hypnagogia is the imagery, sounds and strange bodily feelings that are felt at “sleep onset.” This is a simplification though, as researchers have noted hypnagogic imagery in the lab at periods of quiet wakefulness as well as stage 1 sleep. Others … [Read more...] about The Mystery of Hypnagogia
Turkey Time: the Role of Tryptophan in Sleep and Dreams
My US readers are preparing for Thanksgiving, the traditional harvest meal to celebrate family and friends. And most of us that sit at the Thanksgiving table will probably want a serious nap after eating. While the tryptophan in turkey is often … [Read more...] about Turkey Time: the Role of Tryptophan in Sleep and Dreams