Lucid, Prelucid, and Nonlucid Dreams Related to the Amount of EEG Alpha Activity during REM Sleep
Paul D. Tyson, Robert D. Ogilvie, Harry T. Hunt
Psychophysiology July 1, 1984 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1984.tb00224.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with awakenings Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Good dream recallers |
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Citations | 59 |
| Key findings | High-amplitude REM alpha was associated with prelucid dreams and bizarre content, and each dream type (lucid, prelucid, nonlucid) had a reasonably distinct REM alpha pattern. The authors argue this supports the idea that lucidity sometimes emerges from prelucid experiences and that lucidity is a viable dream content dimension; they suggest training focused on dream content control may constrain the information integration function of lucid dreams. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alpha activity during REM sleep without signs of awakening can discriminate between the blind classification of prelucid, lucid, and nonlucid dreams. Ten good dream recallers were aroused after relatively high or low amplitude REM alpha. The spectral and temporal characteristics of EEG alpha within each REM period were associated with lucidity and other content dimensions. Each type of dream had a reasonably distinct pattern of REM alpha. High amplitude alpha was found to be associated with prelucid dreams and bizarre content, which is consistent with theories of waking alpha activity and the hypothesis that lucidity sometimes emerges from prelucid experiences. The data are also consistent with the idea that lucidity is a viable dream content dimension, and interpreted in terms of systems theory imply that training which emphasizes dream content control may constrain the potential information integration function of lucid dreams.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on lucid dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Student volunteers trained to become lucid and signal lucidity with horizontal eye... | 2009 | Observational study | n = 6 |
| Neural Correlates of Dream Lucidity Obtained from Contrasting Lucid versus Non-Lucid REM Sleep: A Combined EEG/fMRI Case Study Experienced lucid dreamers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 4 |
| Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep. Individuals during REM sleep, including frequent lucid dreamers, a novice, and a... | 2021 | Observational study | n = 36 |
| Lucid Dreaming in Narcolepsy Consecutive patients with narcolepsy and healthy controls | 2015 | Case-control study | n = 106 |
| Metacognitive Mechanisms Underlying Lucid Dreaming Human participants split into high- and low-lucidity groups based on reported dream... | 2015 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 31
- The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 14, 2019
- A new neurocognitive theory of dreams. Dreaming March 1, 2001
- Exploring the neural correlates of dream phenomenology and altered states of consciousness during sleep Neuroscience of Consciousness 2017
- Lucid dreaming during NREM sleep: Two case reports heiDOK (Heidelberg University) 2012
- Volitional components of consciousness vary across wakefulness, dreaming and lucid dreaming Frontiers in Psychology 2014
and 26 more in the library
Cites 4
- Lucid Dreaming as a Learnable Skill: A Case Study Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1980
- Lucid Dreaming and Alpha Activity: A Preliminary Report Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1982
- Altered states of consciousness March 13, 2024
- Forms of dreaming. Perceptual and Motor Skills April 1982