The relationship between mindfulness and lucid dreaming: A systematic review.
Annemiek C. Balt, Marlon Nieuwenhuis, E. D. de Bruin
Dreaming March 31, 2025 DOI: 10.1037/drm0000303 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Dreaming Lucid dreaming Meditation |
| Key findings | The association between mindfulness and lucid dreaming frequency remains inconclusive, with meditation experience, lucid dreaming experience, dream recall, gender, and age identified as potential sources of inconsistency. |
Abstract
The relationship between mindfulness and the frequency with which one experiences lucid dreams is conceptually strong and can be grounded in the continuity hypothesis and in neuroscientific investigations. Only few studies have however been performed regarding this relationship, and comparisons are difficult to make due to methodological issues and discrepancies in results. This study aims to investigate the degree to which this relationship seems to exist and to determine potential factors accounting for the expected discrepancies to guide further research. For that aim, a systematic literature review was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science and PsycInfo. A total of 348 unique studies were screened, of which three studies (consisting of a total of six sub-studies) were included that matched the inclusion criteria. The studies were analysed through a narrative synthesis. The findings reveal an inconclusive association between mindfulness and lucid dreaming frequency. Factors identified as potentially accounting for the inconsistencies among the results were meditation experience, lucid dreaming experience, dream recall, gender, age. This review underlines the importance of pursuing future research that take these factors into account to enhance our understating of the relationship between mindfulness and lucid dreaming.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on lucid dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research | 2016 | Meta-analysis | |
| A systematic review of new empirical data on lucid dream induction techniques. Peer-reviewed studies on lucid dream induction techniques | 2023 | Systematic review | n = 19 |
| The effectiveness of lucid dreaming therapy in patients with nightmares: A systematic review. Adults with chronic and recurring nightmares | 2023 | Systematic review | |
| Testing Precognition and an Altered State of Consciousness with Selected Participants in the Ganzfeld Participants selected for self-reported creativity, prior psi experience or belief, or... | 2020 | Prospective meta-analysis | n = 60 |
| Review of new evidence on effectiveness of different methods of lucid dream induction Studies on lucid dream induction methods | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 17 |