Lucid Dreams are a curious phenomenon that simulate reality for individuals during a sleeping state. Lucid dreams seemingly grant the person the ability to control actions and respond to exterior stimuli as presented, and is demonstrated in the research study conducted by Karen Konkoly and others, as described in the article Real Time Dialogue Between Experimenters and Dreamers During Rem Sleep. The science and anatomy surrounding the concept of dreaming is highly intriguing, and is the topic for many experimenters and scientists attempting to unravel the potential reasoning as to why we dream, and how our conscious determines the severity and significance of these dreams. However, the promotion of lucid dreaming and encouraging individuals to recognize and embrace this process is contested among the scientific community.
In a research op-ed by Raphael Vallat and Perrine Marie Ruby titled Is it a Good Idea to Cultivate Lucid Dreaming, the researchers uncover the complications and disturbances surrounding the action of lucid dreaming and interfering with an individual's sleep cycle. Konkoly's study, despite the fascinating discoveries and conclusions, has downplayed potential consequences and side effects to quality of sleep and rest for the mind. It is apparent that the promotion of lucid dreaming is a controversial topic, as many articles located on the internet are in inherent disagreement and debacle. The two glaring controversies regarding lucid dreaming are listed in the article as "Lucid Dreaming alters sleep integrity," and "the brain state during [lucid dreaming] is neither that of wake nor that of REM sleep," (Vallat; Ruby 2019). The primary concern is the alteration of natural sleeping patterns and the disturbances cultivated by promoting individuals to practice the ability to lucid dream and enter a state of lucidity and control. A reasoning behind the aforementioned decrease in sleep quality is due to the increase in brain activity. Inversely, when the brain should be at rest during periods of sleep, lucid dreaming allows the mind the ability to have control, and actively promote thought and emotion, thus decreasing natural rest. The side effects of this range from minor to severe health issues, as well as premature death due to a lack of necessary sleep and destruction of natural sleep patterns. Practiced lucid dreamers have implemented strategies such as awakening over periods in the night to immediately return to a lucid state, as well as taking specific neurotransmitter inhibitors to promote lucid dreaming. It is the combination of these methods that can destroy natural sleep patterns and result in adverse health effects.
The morality of having individuals practice methods to promote lucid dreaming is up for debate, and has yet to come to a studied conclusion. However, as it is scientifically noted that poor sleep contributes to a variety of health defects, it is more likely than not that practicing these methods is unsafe and may lead to undesired consequences. Instead of focusing on lucid dreaming, and if it is possible to communicate with an individual in a subconscious state, devoting time to limiting lucid dreaming and discovering ways to encourage healthy sleeping behaviors and strategies. Although the jury is still out on the long term consequences of lucid dreaming, because of this increase in restlessness and brain activity, it can be hypothesized that this should not be a long term habit, and should be avoided and controlled.
Vallat, Raphael, and Perrine Marie Ruby. “Is It a Good Idea to Cultivate Lucid Dreaming?” Frontiers, Frontiers, 15 Nov. 2019, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02585/full
Konkoly, Karen R., et al. “Real-Time Dialogue between Experimenters and Dreamers during Rem Sleep.” Current Biology, Cell Press, 18 Feb. 2021, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982221000592
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