Lucid Dreaming FAQs

Since many people have similar experiences when they begin to lucid dream, they often ask similar questions about there experiences. In this article I will try to answer as many of the most common lucid dreaming questions as possible. 

If you have any other lucid dreaming questions you would like me to add to this list or have any you would like me to answer privately, please feel fee to contact me and I will get back to you as soon as I can. 

• What is lucid dreaming?
• Is lucid dreaming real?
• Can anyone learn how to become lucid?
• How do you learn to lucid dream?
• What does lucid dreaming feel like?
• Is lucid dreaming the same as astral projection or reality shifting?
• How long will it take to achieve my first lucid dream?
• What is a reality check and how do I perform one?
• Why do light switches not work properly in dreams?
• How often should I try lucid dreaming?
• Why did I not experience full control in my lucid dream?
• Can lucid dreaming be dangerous? Can lucid dreaming kill you?
• Can lucid dreaming be scary?
• Can lucid dreaming be addictive?
• Will lucid dreaming make you tired?
• What does WIILD, MILD, TILD etc. stand for?
• Can lucid dreaming improve creativity and problem-solving skills? 

What is lucid dreaming?

Lucid dreaming is simply a dream in which you become aware that you are dreaming. This is all that needs to happen for a dream to be classed as lucid. However, once you practice lucid dreaming regularly you will be able to control the dream environment, characters and narrative however you choose, essentially turning your dream into the most realistic and immersive virtual reality machine you could ever imagine.

Is lucid dreaming real?

If you have never had a lucid dream before, it is perfectly understandable to question whether lucid dreaming is even real... but rest assured lucid dreaming has been studied for many years and has been scientifically proven to be absolutely real. In fact, studies suggest that most people have at least one lucid dream in their lifetime. Neuroscientists are still working on why and how lucid dreaming happens although they already have some great ideas. There is a lot of ongoing research you may want to check out here. 

Can anyone learn how to become lucid? 

Although some people were born natural lucid dreamers, it is possible for anyone to learn this incredible skill. Some people may find it easier to learn than others but with practice and dedication plus the right techniques, anyone can learn how to become lucid.

How do you learn to lucid dream?

If you have never had a lucid dream before, or if you are wanting to learn how to lucid dream more regularly, then you just need to follow my simple three step technique and you will be able to lucid dream in no time!

What does lucid dreaming feel like?

Lucid dreaming feels like you are inside of the worlds most incredible, realistic virtual reality machine. It is like entering another world, a world comparable to the 'Mirror Dimension' from the movie Dr Strange, or the Holodeck from Star Wars... only better! It is a world where there are no rules, no laws, no restrictions. You will feel complete and utter freedom... freedom to fly like a bird... or to be a bird. You can teleport, time travel... anything! Some lucid dreams may only be brief moments of realisation, others may go on for what feels like hours. But all lucid dreams are incredible, fascinating and most of all enormous fun that will leave you with a feeling full of wonder and awe.

Is lucid dreaming the same as astral projection or reality shifting?

You many have heard about the latest TikTok trend known as 'reality shifting' (or simply shifting) and be wondering if this is different from lucid dreaming. In fact lucid dreaming, astral projection and shifting are all very similar and personally I believe that they are all just different versions of lucid dreaming. However, everyone has their own opinions on this one. I suggest you give them all a try and make your own opinion based on your experiences. Let me know how you get on... I love to hear peoples experiences! 

How long will it take to achieve my first lucid dream?

The average time for someone applying the 3 step technique tends to be around 2 weeks from when they begin reality checking regularly. But please remember... everybody is different! Some people will naturally take longer than others as there are many factors which will affect the results but... if you persist it WILL happen! Whether it takes days, weeks or months really depends on how badly you want it to happen, how much effort you put in to your technique and a whole lot of luck!

What is a reality check and how do I perform one?

A reality check is a simple test you can do to see if your dreaming. The main idea is to find something that behaves differently in dreams than in reality, such as your hands, a clock, a mirror, or a light switch. There are many to choose from so you might want to try a few and see what works best for you. It is best to do a second reality check to be sure as sometimes your mind can play tricks on you!

Why do light switches not work in dreams?

You may have noticed that light switches (and other kids of technology too) never seem to work properly in either regular dreams or lucid dreams. But why are light switches so unreliable in dreams? Well after reading multiple studies and reports on the light switch phenomena (plus having experienced it myself) I have come to the same conclusion as this member of reddit, 

"I believe light switches don't work because its just an action you do without really thinking about the outcome. When you flick a light switch you don't stop and think, okay now the light comes on. You just flick the switch and without further thought it happens.

I bet if you imagined and expected the light to come on when you flick the light switch it would work".

Remember, dreams are generated by your subconscious mind, which does not have a clear sense of logic or physics. Therefore, when you try to turn on or off a light switch in a dream, it may not affect the brightness of the room, or it may produce unexpected results, such as changing the colour of the light, or triggering a different event. This can be used as a clue that you are dreaming and help you become lucid. 

How often should I try lucid dreaming?

You can attempt lucid dreaming as often as you like but just remember not to wear yourself out trying too often. In fact it often makes it less likely to have one if you don't give yourself breaks! Remember there really is such a thing as trying too hard. Try to have a break from lucid attempts at least every other week. From personal experience, I have often had spontaneous lucid dreams the very night I decide to have a break from it!

Why did I not experience full control in my lucid dream?
Sometimes, especially in the beginning, you might not experience full control in your lucid dreams. You might find, for example, that you become aware you are dreaming but you are still just observing the dream rather than taking full control. Do not worry because you can work on gaining more control as you become more experienced. Just like any skill, you will improve with practice and will soon be able to lucid dream like a pro!  

Can lucid dreaming be dangerous? Can lucid dreaming kill you?

No! That's the beauty of lucid dreaming - you can do anything you want without any of the real world risks or consequences. If you hurt yourself or even died in a lucid dream you will still be perfectly safe in your bed and either a new dream will start or you will wake up as normal. Lucid dreaming is incredibly safe so there's no need to worry. 

Can lucid dreaming be scary?

Lucid dreaming may well be incredibly safe but you need to be aware of a few situations which may be a little scary, especially if you are new to lucid dreaming. Some examples are sleep paralysis and lucid nightmares. Read this article here to help you prepare for any of these possible negative experiences and learn how to avoid them. 

Can lucid dreaming be addictive?

Although lucid dreaming can be very enjoyable and incredibly fun, addiction is not something you need to worry about. Firstly, there are no negative side affects to lucid dreaming and is not in any way detrimental to your health. In fact it is very good for you in many ways. Secondly, it is very easy to stop if you wanted to. You would not have to deal with any kind of withdrawal symptoms from stopping so it would not be like an addiction to something like drugs or alcohol.

Will lucid dreaming make you tired? 

There is some debate as to whether lucid dreaming can affect your sleep quality. Some people may argue that because you are conscious during your sleep, you cannot be sleeping as deeply as you normally would, and this would leave you feeling tired during the day. However usually lucid dreams are fairly short and unlikely to have much impact on your tiredness. The only thing that may make you tired is using techniques such as WBTB, as these techniques interrupt your normal sleep patterns. I personally find I awaken from lucid dreams feeling well rested and in no way any more tired than dreaming normally.

What does WIILD, WBTB, MILD, TILD etc. stand for?

There are many acronyms and abbreviations used when discussing lucid dreaming and it can sometimes become a little confusing! Check out this page here for a full list of all lucid dreaming acronyms that are most commonly used in lucid dreaming forums.

Can lucid dreaming improve creativity and problem-solving skills? 

Yes, lucid dreaming has been shown to enhance creativity and problem-solving skills. According to this article, recent scientific work suggests that there is a strong correlation between REM sleep, dreaming, and creativity. The article highlights findings that lucid dreaming, in particular, has been positively linked with both creativity and problem-solving successes. It also discusses a study by Lacaux et al. which examined individuals with narcolepsy, who frequently experience lucid dreams, and found that they exhibited higher creativity scores compared to healthy controls. 

Any other lucid dreaming questions?

I hope I have helped you to understand lucid dreaming a little better with these most common lucid dreaming FAQs. If you still have any questions on lucid dreaming please feel free to contact me and I will personally get back to you as soon as I can.

Happy dreaming!