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Exploring the range of reported dream lucidity

Remington Mallett, Michelle Carr, Martin Freegard, Karen R Konkoly, Ceri Bradshaw, Michael Schredl

Philosophy and the Mind Sciences April 15, 2021 DOI: 10.33735/phimisci.2021.63 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study with qualitative component Peer reviewed
Population Participants who implemented mnemonic training lucid dream induction methods at home
Intervention mnemonic training lucid dream induction methods
Duration One week
Topics Lucid dreaming
Keywords Mnemonic Cognitive psychology Psychoanalysis Psychotherapist
Citations 7
Key findings Lucid dreaming occurs on a continuum, with about half of participants reporting at least one lucid dream and half of all dreams including some lucidity; mnemonic rehearsal during early awake periods predicts lucidity level, and lucidity correlates positively with dream control, bizarreness, and positive affect.

Abstract

Dream lucidity, or being aware that one is dreaming while dreaming, is not an all-or-none phenomenon. Often, subjects report being some variant of “a little lucid” as opposed to completely or not at all. As recent neuroimaging work begins to elucidate the neural underpinnings of lucid experience, understanding subtle phenomenological variation within lucid dreams is essential. Here, we focus on the variability of lucid experience by asking participants to report their awareness of the dream on a 5-point Likert scale (from not at all to very much). Participants implemented a combination of mnemonic training lucid dream induction methods at home for one week and provided detailed reports about their dream experiences each morning. Consistent with previous research, cognitive induction methods led to about half of participants reporting at least one lucid dream and about half of all dreams including some level of lucidity. However, we also show that induction success rate varies significantly depending on the minimum criteria for lucidity. Participants also reported how much they adhered to specific components of each induction method, and the amount of mnemonic rehearsal during a brief early awake period was predictive of lucidity level. Furthermore, lucidity levels were positively correlated with dream control, dream bizarreness, and next-morning positive affect. Lastly, we asked participants open-ended questions about why they chose particular levels of lucidity. We focus a qualitative discussion on responses to those “semi-lucid” dreams (rated just a little, moderately, or pretty much lucid) to explore why participants rate their dreams as having intermediate levels of awareness. Together, the present study explores the frequency of semi-lucid dreams, what they are, why they might arise, their correlates, and how they impact methodological concerns in lucid dreaming research.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on lucid dreaming, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
High-Level Control in Lucid Dreams Adults who experience at least one lucid dream per year 2020 Qualitative study n = 107
Dreamers as agents making strategizing efforts exemplify core aggregate of executive function in non-lucid dreaming Archived cross-cultural dreams 2012 Qualitative study using grounded theory
Lucid music – A pilot study exploring the experiences and potential of music-making in lucid dreams. Musicians who reported lucid dreams involving playing instruments and singing 2018 Qualitative study n = 5
Methods of Exploring Transpersonal Lucid Dreams: Ineffability and Creative Consciousness 2020 Mixed methods (quantitative, phenomenological, art-based inquiry)
It's like a dance between the dreamer and the dream : supernatural agency in lucid dreaming Rêveurs lucides 2026 Thèse de doctorat (recherche mixte quantitative et qualitative)

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