Exploring the neural correlates of dream phenomenology and altered states of consciousness during sleep
Neuroscience of Consciousness January 1, 2017 Julian Mutz, Amir-Homayoun Javadi 53 citations
Dreaming occurs during both rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, but the phenomenological characteristics differ between these stages. Lucid dreaming, where the dreamer is aware they are dreaming, offers a unique window into consciousness during sleep. The review synthesizes previous literature on brain activity across the sleep cycle, showing how neurofunctional changes relate to variations in dream content and the level of consciousness experienced. The authors aim to clarify how these neural shifts may underlie the subjective qualities of dreams.