Stability of Lucid Dream Frequency and Lucid Dreaming Skills Over a 7-Year Period
Michael Schredl, Anja S. Göritz
Imagination, Cognition and Personality September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/02762366251349518 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe Lucid Dreaming Skills Questionnaire (LUSK) reliably measures differences in people's ability to control their dreams while lucid. A study of 1,267 people found the questionnaire valid. In a subset of 374 people tested again after seven years, LUSK scores were less stable than how often people reported having lucid dreams. Those who actively practiced lucid dreaming over the seven years showed a greater increase in lucid dream frequency than those who did not, suggesting that lucid dream induction can succeed outside formal research settings.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,267 |
| Population | Persons who participated in a study on lucid dreaming skills |
| Duration | 7-year follow-up |
| Key finding | The LUSK questionnaire reliably measures inter-individual differences in lucid dreaming skills, but its scores are less stable over seven years than lucid dream frequency. |
Abstract
The basic definition of lucid dreaming is that the dreamer knows that s/he is dreaming while still dreaming. However, the skills within the lucid dream, e.g., regarding dream control, vary considerably from dreamer to dreamer. The present study tested the psychometric properties of the Lucid Dreaming Skills Questionnaire (LUSK) in a sample of 1267 persons. The findings indicate that the LUSK questionnaire can reliably measure inter-individual differences in lucid dreaming skills. A subsample of persons ( N = 374) participated in both studies, the 2017 study and the 2024. The LUSK score was not as stable as lucid dream frequency over the 7-years period. Persons who dedicated time to lucid dreams reported higher lucid dream frequencies in general. Specifically, persons who were involved in lucid dreaming during the 7-years period had a higher increase in lucid dream frequency as those who were not – indicating that lucid dream induction can also work outside standardized research settings.