A systematic review of new empirical data on lucid dream induction techniques.
Journal of Sleep Research June 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13786 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Peer-reviewed studies on lucid dream induction techniques |
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Keywords | Classification Induction methods |
| Citations | 35 |
| Key findings | The mnemonic induction of lucid dream technique was the most effective for inducing lucid dreams, and two new techniques, the senses-initiated lucid dream technique and galantamine intervention, are competitive candidates needing further replication. |
Abstract
Lucid dreams are defined as dreams in which the dreamers are aware of the fact that they are dreaming as dreams continue. It has been ~12 years since the last review of the efficiency of lucid dream induction techniques was conducted. Hence, the present study aimed to review the lucid dream induction techniques published in the past decade. The second aim was to propose a modified classification for the existing lucid dream induction techniques, including cognitive techniques, external stimulation, substance intervention, and cortical stimulation. The third aim was to assess the methodological quality of the studies included in the review. It was hypothesised that, comparing with the studies included in the last review, the studies included in the present review had better overall methodological quality. A total of 19 peer-reviewed studies were included and analysed in the present review, from which 14 lucid dream induction techniques were identified. The results indicated that the mnemonic induction of lucid dream technique was the most effective for inducing lucid dreams. Moreover, two new techniques, the senses-initiated lucid dream technique and galantamine intervention, might also be competitive candidates for lucid dream induction but further replications are needed. As hypothesised, the overall methodological quality of the studies included in the present review was higher than that of the studies included the previous review. In all, 17 studies had moderate methodological quality, whereas only three studies had poor methodological quality.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on lucid dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research | 2016 | Meta-analysis | |
| The effectiveness of lucid dreaming therapy in patients with nightmares: A systematic review. Adults with chronic and recurring nightmares | 2023 | Systematic review | |
| Testing Precognition and an Altered State of Consciousness with Selected Participants in the Ganzfeld Participants selected for self-reported creativity, prior psi experience or belief, or... | 2020 | Prospective meta-analysis | n = 60 |
| The relationship between mindfulness and lucid dreaming: A systematic review. | 2025 | Systematic review | |
| Review of new evidence on effectiveness of different methods of lucid dream induction Studies on lucid dream induction methods | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 17 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 27
- To be or not to be hallucinating: Implications of hypnagogic/hypnopompic experiences and lucid dreaming for brain disorders. PNAS Nexus December 19, 2023
- Out-of-body experiences in relation to lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis: A theoretical review and conceptual model. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews August 1, 2024
- Electrophysiological Correlates of Lucid Dreaming: Sensor and Source Level Signatures. Journal of Neuroscience May 14, 2025
- The Effects of Lucid Dreaming and Nightmares on Sleep Quality and Mental Health Outcomes. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2025
- Provoking lucid dreams at home with sensory cues paired with pre-sleep cognitive training. Consciousness and Cognition October 1, 2024
and 22 more in the library
Cites 37
- Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Sleep September 1, 2009
- Questionnaires and diaries as research instruments in dream research: Methodological issues. Dreaming March 1, 2002
- Lucid Dreaming Treatment for Nightmares: A Pilot Study Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2006
- Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research Consciousness and Cognition June 20, 2016
- Testing the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in lucid dreaming: A tDCS study Consciousness and Cognition September 8, 2013
and 32 more in the library