heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2008
71 citations
Dreamed actions correlate with actual actions in brain activity, autonomic responses, and timing, supporting the theory that covert actions are simulated using the same neural structures as real movements, except for execution. Evidence from REM sleep studies and lucid dreaming research shows that dreamed actions are represented on higher cognitive levels equivalent to actual movements. Findings from motor learning studies further strengthen this link. The paper reviews these studies and suggests future research directions.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2009
Allan Hobson
61 citations
Advances in brain imaging and EEG recording have improved understanding of the neural basis of consciousness, but progress is limited by paradigms that often neglect subjective experience. Lucid dreaming, where dreamers are aware they are dreaming and can sometimes control the dream, offers a promising yet problematic paradigm for studying consciousness. Early results using lucid dreaming are encouraging and complementary, though preliminary. This paper evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of this approach and interprets recent findings.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2010
Valdas Noreika, Jennifer Windt, Bigna Lenggenhager et al.
54 citations
Brain imaging studies of lucid dreaming have revealed correlations with neural activity, but causal methods are needed to understand the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in metacognitive insight during dreams. The authors propose using transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and galvanic vestibular stimulation to directly interfere with neural functioning during sleep. They argue that aspects of dream lucidity can be investigated in ordinary, nonlucid dreams, enabling more comprehensive and efficient experiments. This approach would deepen understanding of self-consciousness in dreams and integrate dream research into broader neurophilosophical theories of consciousness and the self.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2012
53 citations
Lucid dreaming, where the dreamer knows they are dreaming, usually happens during REM sleep, but this sleep laboratory study reports two possible instances of lucidity during NREM sleep. NREM lucid dreaming appears much rarer and harder to achieve, most likely during N1 sleep, less likely during N2 sleep, and not yet observed during N3 sleep. The authors suggest future research on induction methods, neural mechanisms, and perceptual differences between REM and NREM lucid dreams, and call for a consensus definition of lucid dreaming to clarify the psychophysiological states that support self-reflective awareness.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2010
Tadas Stumbrys, Michael Daniels
53 citations
Lucid dreams—where the dreamer knows they are dreaming—may aid creative problem solving more than logical tasks, and dream characters can offer plausible creative advice. In a pilot study, nine lucid dreamers and nine non-lucid dreamers attempted either a logical puzzle or a metaphor creation over ten nights. The results suggest lucid dreams are better suited for creative tasks, and dream characters may serve as a source of creative input. The study also identified methodological issues for future research.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2012
52 citations
Lucid dreamers are aware they are dreaming and can shape the dream. A survey of 301 lucid dreamers found the most common application was having fun (81.4%), followed by turning a bad dream or nightmare into a pleasant one (63.8%), solving problems (29.9%), gaining creative ideas or insights (27.6%), and practicing skills (21.3%). Women used lucid dreaming more often than men for both nightmare work and problem solving. Lucid dreams appear to offer multiple ways to improve life, particularly for nightmare treatment and motor skill practice.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2011
Allan Hobson, Michael Schredl
50 citations
A discussion between J. Allan Hobson and Michael Schredl examines unresolved questions in dream research, starting from the continuity hypothesis—that waking life is reflected in dreams—and Hobson's theory of protoconsciousness. The conversation centers on discontinuity: how dreams include activities the dreamer never experienced while awake. Possible functions of dreaming are debated, such as preparation for waking life or personal growth. The paper aims to stimulate further discussion among researchers on these fundamental topics for neurophysiological and psychological dream research.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2008
Michael Schredl
49 citations
Dreams collected in a sleep laboratory are influenced by the laboratory setting itself, creating a methodological problem where the measurement technique alters the object being measured. This incorporation of laboratory elements into dreams supports the continuity hypothesis of dreaming, which holds that dream content reflects waking experiences. A review of the literature shows a strong effect of the experimental setting on dreams, and emotional involvement may explain why some people incorporate laboratory elements more than others. Studying these effects offers a detailed way to examine continuity between waking and dreaming.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2009
Evelyn Doll, Georg Gittler, Brigitte Holzinger
27 citations
People who frequently experience lucid dreams—dreams in which the dreamer knows they are dreaming while the dream continues—tend to score higher on measures of mental health, freedom from complaints, expansivity, autonomy, and self-esteem compared to rare or non-lucid dreamers. This conclusion comes from a study of 89 subjects, divided into frequent (27), rare (33), and non-lucid (29) dreamers. However, no significant differences were found between the groups in behavioral control, decision behavior, or spatial abilities.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2010
Michael Schredl, Daniel Erlacher
25 citations
Sleep is known to help memory consolidation, but the role of dreaming in this process is less clear. This study examined whether dreams that directly incorporate a mirror tracing task improve performance on that task after sleep, and found no such effect. However, bizarre, long, and intense dreams were linked to slower performance but also to fewer errors. Whether these associations stem from changes in sleep physiology or from negative effects of dreams on mood and performance remains unknown. Future work should investigate more complex procedural tasks and how dreaming relates to emotional memory consolidation during sleep.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2008
20 citations
Among 153 Japanese university students, 47% reported having had at least one lucid dream and 19% were frequent lucid dreamers (once a month or more). Dream recall frequency was significantly linked to lucid dream frequency, but after controlling for that, nightmares were not related. Prevalence rates were lower than in other countries, possibly due to differences in how lucid dreaming was defined or because participants were psychology students. The findings suggest lucid dreaming is a known phenomenon in Japan, and future research might explore groups with strong cultural ties to dreaming, such as monks.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2012
Miloslava Kozmová
12 citations
Dreamers can use higher-order thinking to solve problems during non-lucid dreaming. Analysis of archived cross-cultural dreams identified eight executive thought processes: analytical, decision-making, defense mechanisms, evaluative, goal-oriented, interpretative, motivational, and self-determinative. These serve four purposes: gathering information, making judgments, protecting oneself and maximizing success, and exercising volition, agency, and autonomy. The findings suggest that strategic thinking during dreams is a real cognitive capacity, not limited to lucid dreaming, and may have neural correlates that future research could investigate.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2009
Daniel Erlacher
9 citations
Lucid dreamers can recall about 5 out of 7 previously memorized words while dreaming, though recall rates varied widely from none to all words. Four of the twelve participants could not complete the task within the dream, suggesting that the recall rate among those who did was relatively high. The study was conducted at home, and the authors recommend future sleep laboratory studies to control for confounding factors. They also propose investigating lucid dream rehearsal as a potential method for active learning during sleep.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2012
Teresa L. DeCicco, Donatella Donati, Mauro Pini
6 citations
Dreams and the meanings people find in them differ between Canadian and Italian psychotherapy patients. Thirty Canadian and thirty Italian patients undergoing psychodynamic therapy completed the Storytelling Method of Dream Interpretation in their native language. Dream content and the patients' own discovery passages were analyzed using the Hall and Van de Castle coding system. Results showed differences between the two cultural groups and between genders in both dream content and the interpretations patients generated. The findings support the usefulness of the Storytelling Method for therapy in both English and Italian.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2009
Valérie Schäfer, Klaus Bader
6 citations
Bad dreams and post-traumatic nightmares commonly follow traumatic events in both children and adults. Among 37 adults with primary insomnia who recorded dreams for seven days and completed questionnaires on childhood trauma and current stress, early-life maltreatment predicted less positive dream emotions, more negative self-description in dreams, and more aggression directed at the dreamer, even after accounting for current stressors. The findings suggest traumatic events can have strong, long-lasting effects on dream emotions and content.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2008
Michael Schredl
5 citations
Judges can identify a dreamer's gender from a single dream report slightly better than chance, with correct rates between 57.5% and 64%. This accuracy is too low for reliable matching in individual cases, indicating that more dream material is needed for valid predictions. Female judges were more confident matching women's dreams correctly than men's dreams, a pattern not seen among male judges. The authors conclude that qualitative studies are needed to identify specific dream characteristics that improve matching accuracy.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2018
Melanie Schädlich
Lucid dreaming—being consciously aware during a dream—can be used to rehearse motor skills. In a German sample, 9% of athletes who had lucid dreams used them to practice movements, most reporting a positive impact on physical performance. Prior research suggested that practicing movements in lucid dreams is possible and may improve waking performance, but effectiveness had not been tested in a controlled sleep laboratory. This dissertation presents a sleep laboratory study using a dart-throwing task to assess lucid dream practice, a qualitative interview study with 16 athletes, and a pilot study with musicians. It also tests lucid dream induction through visual and tactile stimulation.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2010
Janice Brooks, Jay Vogelsong
A commentary on J. Allan Hobson's target article about the neurobiology of consciousness and lucid dreaming, also engaging with other commentaries. The author discusses and critiques aspects of Hobson's arguments regarding the relationship between dreaming, consciousness, and brain activity, offering additional perspectives on the neurobiological study of lucid dreams and their implications for understanding waking consciousness.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2010
Michael Schredl, Daniel Erlacher
The International Journal of Dream Research is now in its third year, having published 13 original papers and one invited essay across two issues in 2009. The articles addressed a broad range of topics including lucid dreaming, dream recall, dream content, nightmares, the relationship between dreams and psychopathology, and sleep quality. Submissions came from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, demonstrating the journal's international reach.
heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
January 1, 2010
Michael Schredl
A review of Wilhelm Weygandt's dissertation, supervised by Wilhelm Wundt, argues that his claim that all dreams originate from sensory impressions is no longer valid. However, his careful observations and experiments produced interesting results that merit further study with modern methods, such as investigating the effect of internal stimuli on dream content.