What is a Lucid Dream? Definition, Causes, Benefits, and Risks

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YOGYAKARTA - Have you ever dreamed where you have control over the dream? You are aware that you are in a dream and deliberately arrange the story and do things that are impossible to do in the real world.

Some people may think of the experience as just a normal bed. However, for some others, the experience feels so real that it is difficult to distinguish from reality. This phenomenon is then known as a lucid dream.

Sleep experts and psychologists have long studied this phenomenon to understand how the brain works when a person realizes that he is dreaming. So what is actually happening? Is it dangerous? Further on lucid dreams, see the following discussion.

What is a Lucid Dream?

Lucid dreams are a condition when a person realizes that he or she is in a dream. This awareness usually appears during the REM or rapid eye movement sleep phase, which is a sleep phase with high brain activity. In this condition, dreams feel very alive and clear.

In a lucid dream, a person is not only aware of being dreaming, but can also affect the course of the dream. For example, a person can choose to fly, change places, or interact with characters in a dream consciously. This is what makes lucid dreams feel unique and different from ordinary dreams.

Sleep disorder specialist, Alicia Roth, PhD, explains that little is still known about people who claim to have the ability to control or manipulate their dreams. Although the REM phase can be observed through sleep studies or with an MRI scanner, there is no definitive way to know when someone is actually dreaming.

It is reported that about 50 percent of the world's population has experienced lucid dreams at least once in their lifetime. However, only a small percentage of them experience it regularly and are able to control their dreams well. The frequency of lucid dreams varies greatly from person to person.

There are many factors that affect how often a person has lucid dreams. One of them is the ability to remember dreams well after waking up. People who often record their dreams tend to be more aware of dream patterns.

In addition, openness to new experiences and strong imagination also play an important role. Creative and intuitive individuals are often easier to enter lucid dream states than others. This suggests that personality can affect dream experiences.

Causes of Lucid Dreams

Sleep disorders that affect the REM phase can increase the likelihood of lucid dreams. One example is narcolepsy, a condition that causes a person to often enter the REM phase suddenly. Narcoleptic sufferers are reported to have more lucid dreams.

Research also shows an increase in activity in certain areas of the brain during lucid dreams. Brain areas that are usually inactive during sleep, such as the part responsible for decision-making, actually become more active. This is what allows awareness to arise in dreams.

However, the exact cause of lucid dreams still requires further research. Experts agree that lucid dreams are the result of a complex interaction between consciousness, memory, and brain activity during sleep. Therefore, this phenomenon is still being studied to this day.

Are Lucid Dreams Dangerous?

Until now, there has been no strong scientific evidence that lucid dreams are harmful to health. However, deliberate attempts to trigger lucid dreams at the expense of sleep quality can cause problems. Lack of sleep can affect concentration and memory.

Deliberately disturbing sleep to induce lucid dreams can also increase stress and the risk of certain diseases. Some conditions that may arise include high blood pressure and metabolic disorders. Therefore, sleep quality must remain a top priority.

In addition, individuals with certain mental health disorders need to be more careful. In people with psychosis or hallucinations, lucid dreams can worsen the confusion between dreams and reality. Consultation with a professional is highly recommended in this condition.

On the other hand, lucid dreams also have the potential for interesting benefits. Some studies show that lucid dreams can help reduce anxiety and depression. Awareness in dreams allows a person to face fears safely.

Lucid dreams are also often used to overcome recurring nightmares. In certain therapies, a person is taught to rewrite the course of a nightmare into a more positive one. This technique is known as imagery rehearsal therapy.

It can be concluded, in general, lucid dreams are not dangerous if they occur naturally. However, forcing yourself to experience it can interfere with sleep quality and health. Therefore, maintaining sleep quality remains the main thing so that lucid dreams do not interfere with health.

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