Words: Alice McCloskey (she/her)
the lucid dream not only dissolves the mythical boundary between consciousness and unconsciousness electrophysiologically – bridging the states of the mind, but also offers an opportunity to explore the unconscious mind with all of its chaos, transcending the limits of a “pure”, and an often stringently rigid reality.
Within the broad expanse of the human mind, there lies the coherent state of consciousness, in which the brain experiences a pure and certain reality. In the “conscious state”, the brain produces Beta waves of 13-30 Hz, whilst engaging in coordinated communication, synchronised neural activity, and maintaining self-awareness, generated in the pre-frontal cortex.
From this awakened state, the mind and the body drift through the “hypnagogic state”, muscles relaxing and neural oscillations eventually slowing to delta waves of 0.5-4 hz. The brain switches to memory consolidation and information processing when the hazy realm of sleep has been entered. It is here in this state, dichotomous to conscious reality, that the unconscious mind rules.
Drifting us through these two states, like the waves of the sea, are neural waves. However, no shore boundary exists, waves are not fixed, nor are the dichotomous states of the mind completely disjointed. The divide between the conscious and unconscious mind is much less distinct than one might expect. Take, for example, sleepwalking, in which unconscious dreams and conscious intentions blend. Or, sleep paralysis, in which the conscious mind is awake before the deeper brain regions, which control the body, are drawn from their slumber. Take, perhaps, the most pertinent example of all – the lucid dream.
Lucid dreams are defined as a phenomenon by which one becomes ‘aware of the fact that one is dreaming during ongoing sleep.’ Whilst only termed in Fredrick van Eeden in his 1913 article A Study of Dreams, lucid dreams pervaded ancient literature of the past, referenced by Aristotle in his 350 B.C.E On Dreams. During a lucid dream, which often occurs in the “REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state”, studies undertaken on participants’ lucid dreaming have recorded both activity in the prefrontal cortex and the parietal regions of the brain with increased gamma wave activity of 30-40hz. This signifies that the brain is capable of self-reflection, awareness, and metacognition whilst it remains in a dream state. The subject is paradoxically both asleep, technically unconscious, whilst cognitively aware that it is a conscious subject, awake in a dream from the moment of meta-awareness – ‘This is a dream.’
Whilst the effects of lucid dreaming are highly individualistic and under researched, since the 1970’s, scientists have been able to prove its existence by having participants in lucid REM states carry out predetermined, volitional eye movements when they become consciously aware within their dream.
Historically, the possibilities of lucid dreaming have been embedded in traditional religious and spiritual practices. Milam, or dream yoga, is central to Tibetan Bon Buddhism, in which the ability to remain mentally conscious when sleeping has been passed down as a learnable skill for centuries, offering connection to spiritual ancestors who also partook in lucid dreaming, and the enriching of the inner mind through spiritual experiences.
Consequently, the lucid dream not only dissolves the mythical boundary between consciousness and unconsciousness electrophysiologically – bridging the states of the mind, but also offers an opportunity to explore the unconscious mind with all of its chaos, transcending the limits of a “pure”, and an often stringently rigid reality.
In his work on psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud described the unconscious as the place of primal urges and the irrational, which has no concept of reality. To him, dreams are symbols of the repressed or disguised parts of the unconscious mind, which often contain unfulfilled desires and secrets of the subliminal.
In this vein, research has been developed into lucid dream therapy to help those with frequent nightmares, PTSD, and anxiety. By recognising the fallacy of these visions, they are disempowered, and the lucid dreamer may glean more insight into the symbolism behind their nightmares through this hyper-real visualisation of their greatest fears, thus gaining a deeper understanding of the most hidden parts of themselves.
Alongside the psychological benefits of lucid dreaming, artists argue that it holds creative potential, which waits to be untapped. Practices such as keeping a dream journal offer a direct link to the wonders and terrors of the unconscious imagination. The artist Tree Carr further encourages writers, artists, and musicians to work on their craft before they sleep, all the while repeating mantras such as ‘Tonight I’m going to receive a solution in my dreams.’ By repeating practices such as this, creative breakthroughs imbued with dream-like solutions can be found in moments of lucidity.
Whilst lucid dreaming carries the potential dangers of derealisation and an increased chance of sleep paralysis, whether you aim to practise it or merely research it, this phenomenon is awash with potential and intrigue. It may even leave you in a dream-like stupor that challenges your perception of conscious and unconscious reality, the question ‘Is this a dream?’ resounding in your ears like the reverberating crash of waves on the shore.
