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.
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 |
| Exploring the range of reported dream lucidity Participants who implemented mnemonic training lucid dream induction methods at home | 2021 | Observational study with qualitative component | |
| Methods of Exploring Transpersonal Lucid Dreams: Ineffability and Creative Consciousness | 2020 | Mixed methods (quantitative, phenomenological, art-based inquiry) |
Citations in the library
Cites 35
- The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 14, 2019
- Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep. Current Biology April 12, 2021
- Testing the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in lucid dreaming: A tDCS study Consciousness and Cognition September 8, 2013
- Techniques for Inducing and Manipulating Lucid Dreams Perceptual and Motor Skills August 1, 1983
- Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine stimulates lucid dreaming: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study PLoS One August 8, 2018
and 30 more in the library