Are Lucid Dreams Good for Us? Are We Asking the Right Question? A Call for Caution in Lucid Dream Research
Frontiers in Neuroscience January 24, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01423 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLucid dreaming—being aware that one is dreaming while still asleep—offers a unique experimental window into consciousness that is distinct from both waking and non-lucid dreaming. The article argues that studying lucid dreaming can advance understanding of consciousness by allowing direct communication between dreamers and researchers. This approach enables real-time investigation of neural correlates of conscious states, self-awareness, and volition during sleep. The authors suggest that lucid dreaming research may bridge gaps between subjective experience and objective measurement, potentially informing theories of consciousness and clinical applications for nightmares and psychiatric disorders.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Keywords | Cognitive psychology Neuroscience Medicine |
| Citations | 45 |
| Key finding | Argues that sleep functions extend beyond the brain to include systemic metabolic regulation across the whole body. |
Abstract
OPINION article Front. Neurosci., 24 January 2020Sec. Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Volume 13 - 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.01423