The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming

Abstract

Lucid dreaming refers to the phenomenon of becoming aware of the fact that one is dreaming during ongoing sleep. Despite having been physiologically validated for decades, the neurobiology of lucid dreaming is still incompletely characterized. Here we review the neuroscientific literature on lucid dreaming, including electroencephalographic, neuroimaging, brain lesion, pharmacological and brain stimulation studies. Electroencephalographic studies of lucid dreaming are mostly underpowered and show mixed results. Neuroimaging data is scant but preliminary results suggest that prefrontal and parietal regions are involved in lucid dreaming. A focus of research is also to develop methods to induce lucid dreams. Combining training in mental set with cholinergic stimulation has shown promising results, while it remains unclear whether electrical brain stimulation could be used to induce lucid dreams. Finally, we discuss strategies to measure lucid dreaming, including best-practice procedures for the sleep laboratory. Lucid dreaming has clinical and scientific applications, and shows emerging potential as a methodology in the cognitive neuroscience of consciousness. Further research with larger sample sizes and refined methodology is needed.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Dreaming ↕Mixed

  Prefrontal and parietal regions are likely involved in lucid dreaming, but EEG studies are mostly underpowered with mixed results, and combining mental training with cholinergic stimulation shows promise for induction.

  Synthesized October 25, 2026

• State of the evidence: Lucid dreaming ↕Mixed

  EEG studies of lucid dreaming are mostly underpowered and show mixed results; neuroimaging is scant but suggests prefrontal and parietal involvement, and combining mental training with cholinergic stimulation shows promise for induction.

  Synthesized October 25, 2026

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on lucid dreaming, most cited first.