Exploring the effects of galantamine paired with meditation and dream reliving on recalled dreams: Toward an integrated protocol for lucid dream induction and nightmare resolution.

A pre-sleep protocol combining the drug galantamine with middle-of-the-night meditation and imaginary reliving of a distressing dream while practicing new responses increased lucidity and constructive actions in dreams. Thirty-five participants completed eight nights comparing six conditions, including Wake-Back-to-Bed alone, with placebo, or with galantamine, and meditation and dream reliving alone, with placebo, or with galantamine. Self-ratings showed that the protocol enhanced reflectiveness, interactive behavior, role change, and reduced fear and threat. The findings support further study of this approach for lucid dream induction and nightmare or trauma resolution.

Study at a glance

Abstract

An experimental home study examined the impact of a pre-sleep protocol for enhancing self-awareness, lucidity, and responsiveness in dreams. It included ingesting the cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine--which is widely reported to increase the frequency of lucid dreaming--prior to engaging in middle-of-the-night meditation and the imaginary reliving of a distressing dream while exercising new responses. Thirty-five participants completed an eight-night study, which included pre- and post-baseline nights and six conditions: waking for 40 min before returning to bed, called Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB); Wake-Back-to-Bed plus placebo (WBTB + P); Wake-Back-to-Bed plus galantamine (WBTB + G); meditation and dream reliving (MDR); meditation and dream reliving plus placebo (MDR + P); and meditation and dream reliving plus galantamine (MDR + G). The outcome measures included lucidity, reflectiveness, interactive behavior, role change, constructive action, and fear and threat, as measured by the participants' self-ratings. The results support the use of this protocol in further studies of lucid dream induction and nightmare/trauma resolution.