In November, our class had the opportunity to explore the topic of lucid dreaming through a seminar presented by Dr. Torres Platas. Her presentation focused on how researchers have been able to study the dreaming brain by communicating with lucid dreamers while they sleep. This finding shows that consciousness does not fully disappear during dreaming. Although her talk did not cover nightmare treatment, the study she explained helps us understand why lucid dreaming has gained attention in clinical psychology. If people can recognize that they are dreaming and maintain some control during the experience, then this awareness could be used to change or interrupt a nightmare. The idea has motivated researchers to explore lucid dreaming as a possible strategy to help individuals who suffer from recurring or distressing dreams. Recent studies build on this foundation and offer insight into how lucid dreams may become a useful approach for reducing the impact of chronic nightmares.
The article “My Dream, My Rules: Can Lucid Dreaming Treat Nightmares?” explains that lucid dreaming may help treat nightmares because the dreamer gains awareness that the dream is not real and can sometimes guide what happens next. This insight changes how the person reacts to the nightmare and reduces the level of fear. The authors describe that many dreamers use this awareness to confront the threat or reshape the scene in a way that feels safer. It is pointed out that lucidity is not always the only factor that reduces nightmares, yet practicing lucid dreaming techniques helps patients build self-control and develop calmer reactions. They also compare lucid dreaming therapy with imagery rehearsal therapy and note that lucid dreaming may be especially helpful for people who experience non-recurrent nightmares or who want to reduce the intensity of their dreams. The therapy can be learned in a short period and may create benefits quickly. When patients realize they can influence their dreams, their confidence grows and nightmare frequency often decreases on its own. Even when lucidity does not occur, the induction exercises help patients think more critically about their dreams, which can make the nightmare feel less overwhelming.
Another article that examines how lucid dreaming can help with nightmares is “Cognitions in Sleep: Lucid Dreaming as an Intervention for Nightmares in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder”. This work explains that nightmares are a persistent symptom of PTSD and often disrupt sleep, which is why the American Academy of Sleep Medicine includes lucid dreaming therapy as one of the cognitive behavioral options for treatment. Lucid dreaming is defined as the awareness of dreaming and the ability to guide the dream. This skill gives patients a way to face the nightmare while it is happening rather than only after waking up. The researchers found that when veteran patients learned to increase control over their dreams, their nightmare-related distress decreased and their sleep quality improved. Some studies also reported a drop in PTSD symptoms once patients felt more capable of influencing the dream. Lucid dreaming therapy offers an advantage over traditional methods because it allows a direct response to the nightmare inside the dream. It may also support emotional stability by reducing anxiety and helping patients feel safer during sleep. Although more research is needed, the article presents lucid dreaming therapy as a promising approach for people whose nightmares are linked to trauma.
Research on lucid dreaming shows that the mind can respond to fear in ways we do not expect. Both articles reveal that becoming aware inside a dream can reduce distress and help people feel more in control during nightmares. While there is still more to learn, these findings point to lucid dreaming as a useful tool for people who want a new way to manage repeated or intense nightmares.
Reference:
de Macêdo, T.C. F., Ferreira, G.H., de Almodes, K. M, Kirov, R., & Mota-Rolim, S. A (2019). My Dream, My Rules: Can Lucid Dreaming Treat Nightmares? Frontier in psychology, 10, 2618. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02618
Holzinger, B., Saletu, B., & Klösch, G. (2020). Cognitions in Sleep: Lucid Dreaming as an Intervention for Nightmares in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Frontier in psychology, 11, 1826. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01826
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