LuciEntry: Towards Understanding the Design of Lucid Dream Induction
P. Wang, X. Fang, Gabriel Ducos, Nathaniel Yung Xiang Lee, Antony Smith Loose, Rohit Rajesh, Nethmini Botheju, Eric Chen, M. F. Montoya, Alexandra Kitson, Karen R Konkoly, Rohan Sagi, Rakesh Patibanda, Nathan W Whitmore, Mahdad Jafarzadeh Esfahani, Jialin Deng, Jiajun Bu, Martin Dresler, Don Samitha Elvitigala, N. Semertzidis, F. Mueller
Conference on Designing Interactive Systems July 4, 2025 DOI: 10.1145/3715336.3735790 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Key findings | The LuciEntry prototype, using timed visual and auditory cues, can help induce lucid dreaming, and seven design considerations were derived from user experience themes. |
Abstract
Lucid dreaming, a state in which people become aware that they are dreaming, is known for its many mental and physical health benefits. However, most lucid dream induction techniques, such as reality testing, require significant time and effort to master, creating a barrier for people seeking these experiences. We designed LuciEntry, a portable interactive prototype aimed at helping people induce lucid dreaming through well-timed visual and auditory cues. We conducted a lab and a field study to understand LuciEntry’s user experience. The interview data allowed us to identify three themes. Building on these findings and our design practice, we derived seven considerations to guide the design of future lucid dream systems. Ultimately, this work aims to inspire further research into interactive technologies for altered states of consciousness.