86 results for "Lucid Dreaming"
My Dream, My Rules: Can Lucid Dreaming Treat Nightmares?
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2019
Summary
Lucid dreaming may offer hope for those plagued by nightmares, which affect 50-85% of individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. In a review of existing literature, lucid dreamers showed potential in reducing the frequency and intensity of their nightmares. However, the studies reviewed had small sample sizes and inconsistent results. The findings suggest that while lucid dreaming could help transform distressing dreams into more manageable experiences, further exploration is essential to establish its effectiveness as a therapeutic tool.
Abstract
Nightmares are defined as repeated occurrences of extremely dysphoric and well-remembered dreams that usually involve subjective threats to surviva...
Awake or Sleeping? Maybe Both… A Review of Sleep-Related Dissociative States.
Journal of clinical medicine – June 06, 2023
Summary
Sleep is a complex phenomenon, with recent insights revealing that various states of consciousness can occur simultaneously. For example, physiological states like daydreaming and lucid dreaming coexist with pathological conditions such as sleep paralysis and REM sleep behavior disorder. Altered states, including hypnosis and the effects of psychedelics, further complicate our understanding. With a focus on 100+ studies, these findings highlight the significance of sleep-related dissociative states in both basic science and clinical practice, offering potential pathways for treating neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Recent studies have begun to understand sleep not only as a whole-brain process but also as a complex local phenomenon controlled by specific neuro...
On the varieties of conscious experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS).
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics can both weaken and strengthen belief systems in the brain, similar to lucid dreaming states. By activating specific serotonin receptors, these substances can relax rigid thought patterns in the Default Mode Network, allowing fresh perspectives. However, they may also enhance meaning-making and pattern recognition, leading to profound insights or occasionally, misinterpretations. This dual effect explains both the therapeutic benefits and the occasional occurrence of temporary delusions during psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
How is it that psychedelics so profoundly impact brain and mind? According to the model of "Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (REBUS), 5-HT2a ago...
Dream Lucidity and the Attentional Network Task.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2021
Summary
Higher trait lucidity in dreams may enhance conflict resolution skills. In a study with 77 participants, those who rated their dream lucidity over seven days showed a negative correlation between trait lucidity and conflict scores on an attentional network task. Specifically, 49 participants exhibited faster responses when alerted by cues, indicating that greater dream insight could lead to more efficient processing of conflicting information. This suggests that individuals with higher dream lucidity might navigate real-life conflicts more adeptly.
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between dream lucidity, i.e., a dreamer's insight to the ongoing dream, and attention by considering lucid...
End-of-life experiences in patients: a scoping review of types, characteristics, and implications for the mind-brain relationship.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Dying patients often experience vivid end-of-life dreams and visions, or even unexpected moments of terminal lucidity, despite declining health. A review explored these end-of-life experiences to understand their implications for the mind-brain relationship. By analyzing numerous studies, it was found that these experiences, including comforting visions of deceased loved ones, offer profound meaning and acceptance. This suggests that consciousness may persist or even re-emerge in ways that challenge the idea of it being solely a product of brain function, hinting at a possible mind-brain dissociation during the dying process.
Abstract
Dying patients can experience vivid dreams, visions or unexpected lucid episodes despite declining clinical and mental status. This review examines...
Wake Up, Work on Dreams, Back to Bed and Lucid Dream: A Sleep Laboratory Study.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2020
Summary
Combining wake-up-back-to-bed (WBTB) and mnemonic induction of lucid dreams (MILD) can significantly enhance the likelihood of experiencing lucid dreams. In a sleep laboratory experiment, 54% of 11 sport students reported lucid dreams after practicing MILD following a 30-minute wake period. Similarly, 53% of 15 participants who didn’t attend a seminar also reported lucid dreams. In contrast, only 9% of those in a reading condition experienced any lucid dreams, highlighting the effectiveness of this combined approach for inducing lucidity in sleep.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming offers many opportunities to study consciousness processes. However, laboratory research in this area is limited because frequent lu...
Combining Wake-Up-Back-to-Bed with Cognitive Induction Techniques: Does Earlier Sleep Interruption Reduce Lucid Dream Induction Rate?
Clocks & sleep – April 20, 2022
Summary
Lucid dreaming can be induced in about 50% of participants under optimal conditions, but recent experiments show a decline in success rates. In three trials involving 50 participants, only 26%, 0%, and 20% achieved lucidity when altering sleep duration and induction methods. Notably, the absence of REM awakenings in the morning led to no lucid dreams, while reality testing proved less effective than the original mnemonic method. These findings highlight the challenges in consistently inducing lucid dreams for experimental purposes.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming offers the chance to investigate dreams from within a dream and by real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM ...
Topographic-dynamic reorganisation model of dreams (TRoD) - A spatiotemporal approach.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – May 01, 2023
Summary
Dreams exhibit a striking shift in brain activity, with a 30% increase in connectivity within the default-mode network while the central executive network diminishes. This topographic re-organization leads to slower brain wave frequencies, positioning dreams between wakefulness and deep sleep. As a result, dream content becomes highly self-centric and often bizarre, reflecting an integration of internal and external inputs. The Topographic-dynamic Re-organization model of Dreams (TRoD) highlights how these neural dynamics shape our dream experiences, bridging the gap between brain function and consciousness.
Abstract
Dreams are one of the most bizarre and least understood states of consciousness. Bridging the gap between brain and phenomenology of (un)conscious ...
Sleep and lucid dreaming in adolescent athletes and non-athletes.
Journal of sports sciences – August 01, 2024
Summary
Lucid dreaming is notably prevalent among adolescents, with 67.4% reporting experiencing it at least once. A survey of 193 youth (average age 17.4) revealed no significant differences in lucid dreaming frequency between athletes (46%) and non-athletes (54%). Interestingly, 57.1% of those practicing sports during lucid dreams reported enhanced self-efficacy. Despite meeting sleep recommendations, 47.4% of younger adolescents and 20% of older ones still experienced insufficient sleep on weeknights, highlighting ongoing challenges in adolescent sleep health and its implications for performance.
Abstract
During lucid dreaming (LD), dreamers are aware of experiencing a dream and may consciously influence its content. This study used an online questio...
Attempted induction of signalled lucid dreaming by transcranial alternating current stimulation.
Consciousness and cognition – August 01, 2020
Summary
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tAC) during REM sleep can enhance self-awareness in dreams, with 40% of participants reporting lucid dreams. Interestingly, a similar effect was observed with a sham procedure, suggesting that situational factors may play a key role in achieving this state. The findings indicate that while tAC shows promise for fostering lucid dreaming, the context and individual differences significantly influence dream self-awareness. This highlights the complex interplay between neurophysiology and consciousness during sleep.
Abstract
Neurophysiological correlates of self-awareness during sleep ('lucid dreaming') remain unclear despite their importance for clarifying the neural u...
This is your brain on death: a comparative analysis of a near-death experience and subsequent 5-Methoxy-DMT experience.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
A profound near-death experience during encephalitis-induced coma shared remarkable similarities with the effects of the powerful psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT. Through thematic analysis, researchers found both experiences produced intense mystical states, including ego dissolution and transcendence of space-time. While endogenous compounds may play a role, unique NDE elements like life review suggest distinct neural mechanisms.
Abstract
Much research has focused on the modeling of the near-death experience (NDE) by classical and atypical psychedelics; however, to date, no study has...
This is your brain on death: a comparative analysis of a near-death experience and subsequent 5-Methoxy-DMT experience
CORE – June 29, 2023
Summary
A singular case reveals striking parallels between a profound near-death experience and a powerful psychedelic journey. Researchers interviewed an individual who survived a coma and later experienced 5-Methoxy-DMT, comparing the two events. The analysis uncovered significant overlap in themes, including ego dissolution and transcendence of time and space. Yet, the near-death event uniquely featured elements like life review and encounters with deceased loved ones. This suggests that while some brain mechanisms may overlap, the near-death experience might involve distinct processes, potentially linked to its specific medical origin.
Abstract
Introduction: Much research has focused on the modeling of the near-death experience (NDE) by classical and atypical psychedelics; however, to date...
Acetylcholine and metacognition during sleep.
Consciousness and cognition – January 01, 2024
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals become aware they are dreaming, highlights the complex interplay between sleep and metacognition. Acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in REM sleep and cognitive functions. In studies involving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, participants showed increased lucid dreaming instances, suggesting acetylcholine's influence on metacognitive awareness during sleep. Despite these findings, the mechanisms behind this relationship remain unclear. Understanding how acetylcholine affects consciousness could illuminate our grasp of cognitive processes across different sleep stages.
Abstract
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator involved in a variety of cognitive functions. Additionally, acetylcholine is involved in the...
Creativity in Narcolepsy Type 1: The Role of Dissociated REM Sleep Manifestations.
Nature and science of sleep – January 01, 2020
Summary
Hypnagogic hallucinations significantly enhance creativity in individuals with narcolepsy type 1. In a study with 66 patients (mean age 38.6, 47% female), spontaneous mind wandering was shown to boost creative achievement, influenced by sleep paralysis and hypnagogic experiences. These symptoms not only fostered a stronger creative identity but also led to improved creative performance as measured by fluency scores. This suggests that the unique mental states associated with narcolepsy could play a crucial role in unlocking creative potential and success.
Abstract
A higher creative potential has been reported in narcoleptic patients and linked to lucid dreaming. The aim of the present study was to explore the...
Epigenetic Repair of Terrifying Lucid Dreams by Enhanced Brain Reward Functional Connectivity and Induction of Dopaminergic Homeostatic Signaling.
Current psychopharmacology – February 15, 2021
Summary
Lucid dreaming can be both a fascinating and distressing experience, particularly for those with Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). In a clinical sample of eight patients with histories of PTSD and substance abuse, 87.5% reported relief from terrifying lucid dreams after taking the neuronutrient KB200Z. This intervention appears to enhance dopaminergic signaling, promoting neuroplasticity and potentially mitigating trauma's effects. Furthermore, precision formulations of KB220, guided by Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) results, may help restore balance in brain reward circuitry, improving overall mental health outcomes.
Abstract
During Lucid Dreams, the dreamer is aware, experiences the dream as if fully awake, and may control the dream content. The dreamer can start, stop,...
Trends in waking salivary alpha-amylase levels following healing lucid dreams.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Participants with PTSD attending a six-day online workshop reported healing lucid dreams, with eight out of twenty experiencing this phenomenon. Among those, four provided usable saliva samples to measure salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), a stress marker. Although findings were not statistically significant, there was a positive trend suggesting that more healing lucid dreams correlated with an increased waking sAA slope. This highlights the potential link between trauma recovery, dreaming, and physiological responses, indicating a need for further investigation with larger sample sizes.
Abstract
Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is considered a marker of autonomic nervous system activity in stress research, and atypical waking sAA responses have...
Lucid dreaming increased during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey.
PloS one – January 01, 2022
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic led to notable changes in sleep patterns, with 22.62% of 1,857 Brazilian participants reporting increased lucid dreaming frequency. Most (64.78%) maintained their lucid dream recall, while only 12.60% experienced a decrease. Additionally, those recalling lucid dreams at least weekly rose significantly during this period. Enhanced lucid dreaming was linked to improved recall of both dreams and nightmares, as well as better sleep quality. This suggests that heightened stress and anxiety during the pandemic may have influenced these changes in dreaming experiences.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic changed people's lives all over the world. While anxiety and stress decreased sleep quality for most people, an increase in t...
On the Varieties of Conscious Experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS)
OpenAlex – November 30, 2020
Summary
Psychedelics can both relax and strengthen beliefs, profoundly impacting the mind. Psychology suggests "Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (REBUS) occur with very high 5-HT2a agonism, a key mechanism in Drug Studies. Conversely, "Strengthened Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (SEBUS) explain enhanced meaning-making, but also paranoia and false memories. A new model, ALBUS, proposes these effects vary across the dose-response curve of 5-HT2a signaling, central to how these chemical compounds alter perception. This unifies psychedelic experiences as waking dream states, offering insights into memory.
Abstract
How is it that psychedelics so profoundly impact brain and mind? According to the model of "Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (REBUS), 5-HT2a ago...
A systematic review of new empirical data on lucid dream induction techniques.
Journal of sleep research – June 01, 2023
Summary
Lucid dreaming techniques have seen significant advancements, with 14 methods identified from a review of 19 peer-reviewed studies. The mnemonic induction technique emerged as the most effective, while two newer methods—senses-initiated and galantamine interventions—show promise. Overall, 89% of the studies demonstrated moderate methodological quality, a notable improvement compared to previous evaluations. This updated classification includes cognitive techniques, external stimulation, substance intervention, and cortical stimulation, reflecting a decade of progress in understanding how to induce lucid dreams effectively.
Abstract
Lucid dreams are defined as dreams in which the dreamers are aware of the fact that they are dreaming as dreams continue. It has been ~12 years sin...
The Dream of God: How Do Religion and Science See Lucid Dreaming and Other Conscious States During Sleep?
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2020
Summary
Lucid dreaming (LD) holds significant cultural and spiritual importance across various religions. For instance, Hindu texts from over 2,000 years ago categorize consciousness into waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. Tibetan monks practice "Dream Yoga" to enhance self-awareness during LD, while Islamic scriptures view it as a means to achieve mystical experiences. In contrast, Abrahamic faiths see dreams as divine communication. Insights from these traditions can enrich scientific understanding of LD, a phenomenon that engages both spiritual practices and psychological exploration.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) began to be scientifically studied in the last century, but various religions have highlighted the importance of LD in their do...
Electrophysiological Correlates of Lucid Dreaming: Sensor and Source Level Signatures.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – May 14, 2025
Summary
During lucid dreams, people become aware they're dreaming while remaining in REM sleep - a fascinating intersection of consciousness and unconsciousness. Brain imaging reveals that lucid dreamers show distinct patterns of neural activity, particularly in regions linked to self-awareness. When people achieve dream lucidity, their brain exhibits reduced activity in certain frequencies but increased connectivity between hemispheres, suggesting heightened metacognition and conscious control of their dream experience.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the ongoing oneiric state, predominantly linked to REM sleep. Progress in understanding it...
Tinnitus, lucid dreaming and awakening. An online survey and theoretical implications
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 02, 2025
Summary
People with tinnitus experience relief from their phantom sounds while dreaming - over 90% report complete silence during sleep. This fascinating finding emerged from a survey of 195 tinnitus patients exploring consciousness and sound perception. Interestingly, lucid dreamers (those aware they're dreaming) sometimes heard their tinnitus, especially when also perceiving real-world sounds. This suggests our brain's "sound gate" during sleep may hold clues for understanding and treating tinnitus.
Abstract
(1) Background: Tinnitus is the perception of phantom sound in the absence of a corresponding external source. Previous studies reported that the p...
Towards a Passive BCI to Induce Lucid Dream
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 29, 2019
Summary
Scientists discovered that external light signals can be seamlessly woven into our dreams, opening new paths to achieve lucid dreaming - the rare ability to consciously control our dreams. Using affordable EEG technology and LED-equipped sleep masks, researchers found that precisely timed light pulses during sleep can be incorporated into dream narratives, potentially helping more people experience this fascinating state of consciousness.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a phenomenon during which the person is aware that he/she dreaming and is able to control the dream content. Studies have sh...
Lucid Dreaming Brain Network Based on Tholey's 7 Klartraum Criteria.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2020
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals recognize they are dreaming and can control dream content, activates a unique brain network. An analysis of seven awareness criteria revealed significant overlap with specific brain regions involved in self-awareness and consciousness. In this study, 30 participants demonstrated distinct neural patterns during lucid dreams, indicating that multiple brain areas contribute to this experience. The findings suggest that the state of lucid dreaming represents a complex interplay of neurophysiological processes rather than simply the activation of individual regions.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming refers to a dream state characterized by the dreamers' awareness of being in a dream and being able to volitionally control its cont...
Exploring Predictors of Lucid Dreaming Skills: Insights from a community-based Study
PsyArXiv – October 08, 2024
Summary
Could you learn to consciously control your dreams? Research exploring lucid dreaming ability surveyed a community of dreamers. It examined how cognitive skills and practices influence conscious dream frequency. Findings reveal that excellent dream recall and strong prospective memory significantly boost lucid experiences. Consistent reality testing also proved highly effective. This suggests cultivating these mental strengths and regular practice genuinely unlocks potential for conscious awareness within dreams.
Abstract
Exploring Predictors of Lucid Dreaming Skills: Insights from a community-based Study
Flying dreams stimulated by an immersive virtual reality task.
Consciousness and cognition – August 01, 2020
Summary
Flying dreams, while fascinating, are rare experiences. In a study with 137 participants, a virtual reality (VR) flying task successfully induced these dreams during laboratory naps, increasing their frequency compared to baseline and a control group. Participants reported heightened levels of lucid control and emotional intensity in their dreams post-VR exposure. Factors like previous flying dreams and the immersive quality of VR influenced dream outcomes. These findings support a vection-based theory of dream-flying and could pave the way for technologies that enhance dream flight experiences.
Abstract
Despite a high prevalence and broad interest in flying dreams, these exceptional experiences remain infrequent. Our study aimed to (1) induce flyin...
To be or not to be hallucinating: Implications of hypnagogic/hypnopompic experiences and lucid dreaming for brain disorders.
PNAS Nexus – December 19, 2023
Summary
Many healthy individuals experience vivid, dream-like perceptions at sleep onset or awakening. These common "hallucinations" and lucid dreaming offer unique insights into how our brains create reality. By exploring their neural underpinnings, we can better understand the mechanisms behind perceptions without external stimuli. This knowledge is crucial for illuminating the origins of pathological hallucinations in brain disorders like Parkinson's or psychosis, paving the way for improved understanding and potential new treatments.
Abstract
To be or not to be hallucinating: Implications of hypnagogic/hypnopompic experiences and lucid dreaming for brain disorders.
Neuropsychopharmacological Induction of (Lucid) Dreams: A Narrative Review.
Brain sciences – April 25, 2024
Summary
Lucid dreaming (LD) can be enhanced by specific substances that boost dopamine and acetylcholine levels. For instance, galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, shows promise in increasing dream recall and metacognition. In studies, participants using galantamine reported up to 50% higher rates of LD compared to controls. The complexity of neurotransmitter systems, including the roles of sesquiterpene lactones and REM sleep dynamics, complicates clear interpretations. Understanding these mechanisms may pave the way for effective methods to induce lucidity during dreams.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a physiological state of consciousness that occurs when dreamers become aware that they are dreaming, and may also control t...
Bizarreness of Lucid and Non-lucid Dream: Effects of Metacognition.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2019
Summary
An impressive 81.3% of participants reported experiencing lucid dreams (LD), comparable to rates in Western countries. In this study, individuals with higher LD frequency exhibited significantly lower bizarreness density (BD) in their dreams compared to non-LD experiences. Additionally, traits such as self-reflection and insight were inversely related to dream bizarreness, suggesting that self-consciousness extends from waking life into both LD and non-LD states. These findings highlight the continuity hypothesis of consciousness and emphasize the importance of considering metacognitive differences in future dream research.
Abstract
Dreams are usually characterized by primary consciousness, bizarreness and cognitive deficits, lacking metacognition. However, lucid dreaming (LD) ...
Cognitions in Sleep: Lucid Dreaming as an Intervention for Nightmares in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2020
Summary
Approximately 80% of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience distressing nightmares that disrupt their daily lives. Lucid dreaming therapy (LDT) offers a potential coping mechanism, allowing dreamers to control their nightmares. In a study involving PTSD patients, LDT did not significantly alter sleep quality or nightmare severity. However, participants reported a notable decrease in anxiety and depression levels, suggesting LDT could serve as an alternative treatment for managing emotional distress associated with PTSD.
Abstract
About 80% of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients suffer from nightmares or dysphoric dreams that cause major distress and impact nighttim...
Sleep fragmentation and lucid dreaming.
Consciousness and cognition – September 01, 2020
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals gain self-awareness in dreams, may be linked to sleep fragmentation. In a multi-centre study with over 1,000 participants, findings revealed that self-reported awakenings and polyphasic sleep schedules correlated with increased instances of lucid dreaming. Specifically, 45% of those experiencing heightened sleep interruptions reported more frequent lucid dreams. However, self-assessed sleep quality did not show a significant relationship. These insights suggest a complex interplay between metacognition during REM sleep and the effects of disrupted sleep patterns on dream experiences.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming-the phenomenon of experiencing waking levels of self-reflection within one's dreams-is associated with more wake-like levels of neur...
We are the Sensors of Consciousness! A Review and Analysis on How Awakenings During Sleep Influence Dream Recall.
Nature and science of sleep – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our ability to remember dreams dramatically changes based on how we're awakened. Calling someone's name leads to better dream recall than using an alarm, and people remember more dreams at home than in sleep labs. This analysis of sleep studies reveals that memory and attention play key roles in capturing dream experiences. Serial awakenings throughout the night show that awareness varies by sleep stage, with personal traits and questionnaire methods significantly impacting what people report about their dreaming phenomenology.
Abstract
Since the 1930s, researchers have awakened people from different stages of sleep to record what they have experienced. While some aspects, includin...
The Phenomenology of Offline Perception: Multisensory Profiles of Voluntary Mental Imagery and Dream Imagery.
Vision (Basel, Switzerland) – April 21, 2025
Summary
Our brains create vivid mental experiences even without external input. Dreams and voluntary imagination share this fascinating ability for "offline perception," yet work through distinct mental pathways. While dreamers experience more intense emotions and visuals, conscious imagination produces clearer sounds, smells, and textures. People who frequently remember dreams and experience lucid dreaming show stronger connections between these two types of mental imagery, suggesting enhanced mental awareness bridges these different forms of perception.
Abstract
Both voluntary mental imagery and dream imagery involve multisensory representations without externally present stimuli that can be categorized as ...
AWAreness during REsuscitation - II: A multi-center study of consciousness and awareness in cardiac arrest.
Resuscitation – October 01, 2023
Summary
Consciousness may persist during cardiac arrest, with 39.3% of survivors recalling memories suggestive of awareness. In a study involving 567 patients, 53 survived, and 28 were interviewed post-resuscitation. Notably, 21.4% reported transcendent experiences at death, while 10.7% described dream-like states. Continuous EEG monitoring revealed normal brain activity for up to 60 minutes during CPR, indicating potential cognitive processes despite severe oxygen deprivation (mean rSO2 at 43%). These findings challenge traditional views on consciousness in life-threatening situations.
Abstract
Cognitive activity and awareness during cardiac arrest (CA) are reported but ill understood. This first of a kind study examined consciousness and ...
Potential Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist of Psychoactive Components of Silene undulata Aiton: LC-MS/MS, ADMET, and Molecular Docking Studies.
Current pharmaceutical biotechnology – January 01, 2025
Summary
African dream herb Silene undulata contains compounds similar to LSD in their interaction with brain receptors. Chemical profiling revealed 51 active compounds, including β-carboline alkaloids. Advanced molecular docking shows these substances bind to serotonin receptors nearly as strongly as LSD, explaining the plant's traditional use in inducing vivid dreams and altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Silene undulata is historically used for inducing vivid and prophetic lucid dreams, but limited information exists on its phytochemical composition...
The Experience Elicited by Hallucinogens Presents the Highest Similarity to Dreaming within a Large Database of Psychoactive Substance Reports
Frontiers in Neuroscience – January 22, 2018
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) elicits experiences most similar to high-lucidity dreams, a significant finding in Psychology. A semantic similarity (geometry) analysis of a large volume of subjective reports confirmed this hallucinogen, a potent psychoactive substance, mirrors dream states more closely than other drugs. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies explores altered states of consciousness, showing hallucinogens have the highest dream-like similarity. Understanding these effects, potentially linked to Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, could inform future Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques.
Abstract
Ever since the modern rediscovery of psychedelic substances by Western society, several authors have independently proposed that their effects bear...