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Dreaming

ISSN 1053-0797

10 papers in the library · 402 citations · publishing 1991-2020

Papers

Psychophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming.

Dreaming June 1, 2006 Brigitte Holzinger, Stephen LaBerge, Lynne Levitan 69 citations

In lucid dreams, where dreamers are aware they are dreaming, brain activity in the beta-1 frequency band (13–19 Hz) is higher in both parietal regions compared to nonlucid REM sleep. The ratio of frontal to parietal beta-1 activity shifts from 1 to 1.16 in nonlucid dreams to 1 to 1.77 in lucid dreams. The greatest increase tends to occur in the left parietal lobe (P3), an area linked to semantic understanding and self-awareness. Seven men and four women experienced in lucid dreaming were recorded over two nights, with lucidity confirmed by dream reports and eye-movement signals in response to light stimuli.

Lucid dreaming treatment for nightmares: A series of cases.

Dreaming September 1, 2003 Victor I. Spoormaker, Jan Van den Bout, Eli J. G. Meijer 54 citations

A series of eight participants received a one-hour lucid dreaming treatment session for nightmares, including exercises and discussion of constructive solutions. Two months later, nightmare frequency decreased and sleep quality slightly improved, but there were no changes in state or trait anxiety. The treatment appears effective for reducing nightmare frequency, though the specific mechanism remains unclear.

Dreaming in the time of COVID-19: A quali-quantitative Italian study.

Dreaming September 1, 2020 Ilaria Iorio, Massimiliano Sommantico, Santa Parrello 46 citations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey of 796 Italian adults (73.2% women, ages 18–79) found that dreams reflected waking-life distress. Women recalled dreams more often than men and reported more intense emotions, a predominantly negative tone, and more negative emotions and sensory impressions in their most recent dreams. Of all dreams reported, 159 (20%) explicitly referenced COVID-19. Participants who knew someone affected by or who had died of COVID-19 reported higher emotional intensity and sensory impressions in their most recent dreams. Most recent dreams were set in external locations and featured strong negative emotions, particularly involving danger, violence, and frustration. The findings suggest that analyzing dream content can reveal how catastrophic events affect people's inner lives.

Flying dreams and lucidity: An empirical study of their relationship.

Dreaming June 1, 1991 Deirdre Barrett 40 citations

Flying dreams are more common among people who also report lucid dreams, pre-lucid dreams, dreams of sleep, or false awakenings. Analysis of 1910 dreams from 191 subjects showed that when flying and lucidity occur together, lucidity comes first, not the other way around. The relationship may stem from shared psychological and physiological features.

A historical loop of one hundred years: Similarities between 19th century and contemporary dream research.

Dreaming March 1, 2000 Sophie Schwartz 35 citations

Contemporary cognitive and neuropsychological dream research shares key methodological and conceptual similarities with 19th-century scientific dream literature, particularly the use of introspective dream reports and emphasis on dream phenomenology—practices that were suppressed in the early 20th century by behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Three common axioms unite both periods: dream experience results from cognitive syntheses without external constraints; dream narrative involves mental associative mechanisms; and dream bizarreness arises from a cerebral state of functional dissociation. These axioms suggest that distinct cognitive processes can function autonomously and dissociated, making dreaming a unique model for studying such processes.

Reality testing and the mnemonic induction of lucid dreams: Findings from the national Australian lucid dream induction study.

Dreaming September 1, 2017 Denholm Jay Adventure-Heart, Paul Delfabbro, Michael Proeve et al. 28 citations

Lucid dreaming can be learned and offers many potential uses, but research has been hindered by unreliable methods to induce it. This study thoroughly examines three of the most promising cognitive techniques for lucid dream induction, comparing their effectiveness and reliability.

Video game play as nightmare protection: A preliminary inquiry with military gamers.

Dreaming August 22, 2011 Jayne Gackenbach, Evelyn Ellerman, Christie Hall 22 citations

Soldiers who play video games frequently report less threat and war content in their military-related dreams compared to those who game less often. The study surveyed soldiers, excluding those with recent psychological problems, and collected questionnaires on demographics, gaming history, emotional reactivity, trauma, and dream reports. Dream content was analyzed for threat simulation, war themes, and lucid or gaming elements. High-frequency gamers showed reduced threat and war imagery in their military dreams, even after accounting for emotional distress and trauma history.