An exploratory study of creative problem solving in lucid dreams: Preliminary findings and methodological considerations

Lucid dreams—where the dreamer knows they are dreaming—may aid creative problem solving more than logical tasks, and dream characters can offer plausible creative advice. In a pilot study, nine lucid dreamers and nine non-lucid dreamers attempted either a logical puzzle or a metaphor creation over ten nights. The results suggest lucid dreams are better suited for creative tasks, and dream characters may serve as a source of creative input. The study also identified methodological issues for future research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Both historical accounts and modern research suggest that dreams may contribute to creativity and problem solving, however no research has been done to investigate creative problem solving in lucid dreams – in which the dreamer is aware that he or she is dreaming. This pilot and exploratory study explored the feasibility of such research. It was also hypothesised that dream characters might help the dreamer. Nine lucid dreamers (the experimental group) and nine non-lucid dreamers (the control group), for ten consecutive nights, had either to solve a logical puzzle or to create a metaphor. The preliminary findings suggest that lucid dreams can contribute to problem solving when dealing with more creative rather than logical tasks and that dream characters can provide plausible creative advice to the dreamer. Several methodological considerations were revealed that should be addressed in future studies.