I did not expect to be dreaming: Explaining realization in lucid dreams with a Bayesian framework.

The common view holds that a lucid dream begins when the dreamer realizes they are dreaming. This article argues that such realization can result from actual reasoning, not a mere epiphenomenon. It builds a Bayesian model of probabilistic reasoning that explains how a dreamer transitions to lucidity, considering their beliefs about what is generally probable or improbable and their openness to being in a dream. The model is defended against objections and offers an account of lucid dream initiation relevant for future research on dreaming.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The commonsense view is that a lucid dream starts when the dreamer realizes that they are currently dreaming. The notion of realization, however, has been accepted at face value, with little consideration of whether the dreamer realizes that they are dreaming in the sense of actual reasoning, or if it is a mere epiphenomenon of lucid dream initiation. This article offers a solution to this problem by, first, arguing that the transition to lucidity can occur as a result of successful reasoning, and second, building a model of this reasoning in terms of probabilistic reasoning. The established Bayesian model explains realization in lucid dreams taking under consideration two factors: the beliefs that the dreamer holds on what is generally probable and improbable, and the dreamer's admissibility of being in a dream. Defended against important objections, the model offers an explanation of lucid dream initiation, relevant for future research on dreaming.