Examining the triggers of lucid insight.

Approximately half the population have experienced a lucid dream. Yet, it is not well understood how an individual realizes they are dreaming (i.e., lucid insight). A few studies suggest it can be triggered by a nightmare, or by the identification of inconsistencies/dream-like qualities/peculiarities. The present study aimed to produce a detailed typology of lucidity triggers to inform consideration of the nature of associated thought processes. A total of 91 lucid dreamers were identified in an undergraduate sample of 148. Lucid dreamers were asked to describe what it was, if anything, that had made them realize they were dreaming. Thematic analysis of responses extracted evidence of four overarching triggers consistent with previous research: identification of an abnormality, identification of a dream-like quality, an emotionally arousing dream event, and miscellaneous. It was uniquely identified that “abnormalities” within the dream were those inconsistent with waking knowledge rather than with the accompanying dream content. Novel triggers were identified that were classifiable as subthemes under the previously identified triggers, and triggers co-occurred in a third of cases. Novel triggers included “déjà rêvé,” the feeling that one has dreamt the experience before, as well as “self-comfort/denial” involving an emotionally driven denial of the reality of a distressing dream. Nightmare-induced lucidity appeared to arise via qualitatively diverse paths. The...
Source: Dreaming - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research