Dream lucidity is associated with positive waking mood.
Abigail Stocks, Michelle Carr, Remington Mallett, Karen Konkoly, Alisha Hicks, Megan Crawford, Michael Schredl, Ceri Bradshaw
Consciousness and cognition August 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102971 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractHigher levels of lucidity during dreaming are associated with more positive dream content and a more positive mood the following day. Twenty participants completed a week-long online dream diary after practicing lucid dream induction techniques. The study found no link between lucidity and subjective sleep quality. The findings suggest that cultivating lucid dreams may help improve waking mood, though longer-term studies are needed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Adults practicing lucid dream induction techniques |
| Intervention | lucid dream induction techniques |
| Duration | One week |
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Keywords | Nightmares Positive mood Rem sleep |
| Citations | 33 |
| Key finding | Higher lucidity was associated with more positive dream content and elevated positive waking mood the next day, but not with sleep quality. |
Abstract
Lucid dreaming is a unique phenomenon with potential applications for therapeutic interventions. Few studies have investigated the effects of lucidity on an individual's waking mood, which could have valuable implications for improving psychological wellbeing. The current experiment aims to investigate whether the experience of lucidity enhances positive waking mood, and whether lucidity is associated with dream emotional content and subjective sleep quality. 20 participants were asked to complete lucid dream induction techniques along with an online dream diary for one week, which featured a 19-item lucidity questionnaire, and subjective ratings of sleep quality, dream emotional content, and waking mood. Results indicated that higher lucidity was associated with more positive dream content and elevated positive waking mood the next day, although there was no relationship with sleep quality. The results of the research and suggestions for future investigations, such as the need for longitudinal studies of lucidity and mood, are discussed.