Psychophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming.
Brigitte Holzinger, Stephen LaBerge, Lynne Levitan
Dreaming June 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1037/1053-0797.16.2.88 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Experienced lucid dreamers |
| Duration | Two consecutive nights |
| Topics | Lucid dreaming Dreaming |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Parietal lobe Cognitive psychology Audiology Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 69 |
| Key findings | Lucid dreaming is associated with increased beta-1 (13–19 Hz) activity in both parietal regions, especially the left parietal lobe, compared to nonlucid REM sleep. |
Abstract
The main goal of the present study was to explore electrophysiologicaldifferences between lucid and nonlucid dreams in REM sleep. Seven men andfour women experienced in lucid dreaming underwent polysomnographicrecordings in the sleep laboratory on two consecutive nights. EEG signalswere subjected to spectral analysis to obtain Þve different frequency bandsbetween 1 and 20 Hz. Lucidity was determined by both subjective dreamreports and eye-movement signals made by the subjects in response to lightstimuli indicating a REM period. The main discrimination factor betweenlucid and nonlucid dreaming was found in the beta-1 frequency band (13Ð19Hz), which in lucid dreaming was increased in both parietal regions. Theratio of frontal to parietal beta-1 activity was 1 to 1.16 in nonlucid and 1to 1.77 in lucid dreaming. A tendency towards the greatest increase wasobserved in the left parietal lobe (P3), an area of the brain considered to berelated to semantic understanding and self-awareness.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on lucid dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Student volunteers trained to become lucid and signal lucidity with horizontal eye... | 2009 | Observational study | n = 6 |
| Neural Correlates of Dream Lucidity Obtained from Contrasting Lucid versus Non-Lucid REM Sleep: A Combined EEG/fMRI Case Study Experienced lucid dreamers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 4 |
| Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep. Individuals during REM sleep, including frequent lucid dreamers, a novice, and a... | 2021 | Observational study | n = 36 |
| Lucid Dreaming in Narcolepsy Consecutive patients with narcolepsy and healthy controls | 2015 | Case-control study | n = 106 |
| Metacognitive Mechanisms Underlying Lucid Dreaming Human participants split into high- and low-lucidity groups based on reported dream... | 2015 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 35
- Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Sleep September 1, 2009
- The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 14, 2019
- Frequent lucid dreaming associated with increased functional connectivity between frontopolar cortex and temporoparietal association areas Scientific Reports December 6, 2018
- Studies with lucid dreaming as add-on therapy to Gestalt therapy Acta Neurologica Scandinavica January 30, 2015
- Neurobiology and clinical implications of lucid dreaming Medical Hypotheses July 6, 2013
and 30 more in the library
Cites 3
- Lucid Dreaming Verified by Volitional Communication during Rem Sleep Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 1981
- Lucid Dreaming as a Learnable Skill: A Case Study Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1980
- Lucid Dreaming as a Treatment for Recurrent Nightmares Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics February 18, 2010