FAQ

It is important to note that the Lucid Dreamer does not use electroshock therapy. The electrical currents that are used by the Lucid Dreamer are actually 2000 times smaller than those used in electroshock therapy. The device applies transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) to the front of the brain. TACS is a completely safe method of stimulating beta and gamma-band frequencies in the brain to induce awareness within a dream.

 

The Lucid Dreamer uses a relatively low intensity of stimulation for relatively short durations, compared with the intensities and durations that are used in published scientific studies. More specifically, the Lucid Dreamer has hardcoded limits in terms of current (max 20µA/cm2) and voltage (max 2,5 Volt).

 

In order to keep the electrical current at a constant level, the voltage is varied, depending on the constantly measured impedance level. If the impedance exceeds 10 kΩ, stimulation is automatically terminated. Finally, the duration of stimulation is limited to 5 continuous minutes and a total of 20 minutes per night. All these parameters fall well below the common safety limits of electrical stimulation of the brain.

 

The use of the Lucid Dreamer is not recommended for the following conditions:

We know that the type of stimulation that the Lucid Dreamer uses is the most effective method of inducing lucid dreams. We don’t know for sure whether the Lucid Dreamer will effectively induce lucid dreams for you as an individual. There are a number of things that may decrease the change of having a lucid dream. In general, it’s important to sleep well. So be sure that all the conditions for a good night of sleep are met. Turn in on time, don’t set your alarm clock super early and make sure your bedroom is quiet and dark. Of course psychological stress negatively affects your sleep, but also the amount of REM sleep you have. Finally, here’s a list of psychoactive substances that are known to suppress REM sleep, so try to avoid these if you want to start lucid dreaming:

 

• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Caffeine
• Anti-depressants (e.g. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Anti-histamines
• Beta blockers

The first scientific study that used tACS was published in 2006. Since then, countless studies have been published using this technique, including ones assessing the possible adverse effects resulting from tACS. It can be concluded from these studies that tACS is very safe and apart from tingling sensations on the skin at relatively high intensities, it does not lead to side effects that can be qualified as ‘serious adverse effects’.

We know that many things can have an after-effect on brain activity, such as physical exercise or eating certain foods like walnuts or bananas (via an increase in serotonin). It has also been shown that the after-effect on brain activity of a long mobile phone call is bigger than that of a stereotypical tACS session.

 

The question is, does tACS result in changes to brain structure over a time of repeated use? And if so, are they negative changes?

 

Well, we know that for example practicing meditation or mastering the violin results in pretty profound changes in brain structure. Moreover, every single memory that is formed in your brain is in fact a change in brain structure. However no one is concerned with the long-term effects of learning violin or making memories – nor should they be.

 

So yes, because the Lucid Dreamer changes brain activity, it may also change brain structure as well. However, it has been shown that the long-term effects enhancing beta and gamma (the activity that the Lucid Dreamer induces) can actually be beneficial for cognitive functioning. Personally, we found that after using the Lucid Dreamer a number of times we also started to have lucid dreams without the device. This might be due to changes in the brain resulting in an increased ability to lucid dream naturally. Of course applying electrical stimulation is not something most people are familiar with – unlike learning an instrument or meditating.

 

Because of that unfamiliarity, many people will immediately associate the device with electroshock therapy, in which seizures are induced. The Lucid Dreamer does not apply dangerous ‘electroshocks’ to the brain. Instead, it entrains brain activity for about a minute during REM sleep, triggering awareness inside your dream. We know this sounds too good to be true, but it does work, safely.

The short answer is ‘No’. Whether you’re lucid or not, you’re still in REM sleep. Studies have shown that the brain activity during a lucid dream is remarkably similar to that of regular dreams and experienced lucid dreamers actually find that they are more rested after a lucid dreaming experience.

 

However, some lucid dreaming techniques may affect your sleep quality. One method requires waking yourself in the middle of the night and going back to sleep after an hour. The Lucid Dreamer makes this process a whole lot easier, bypassing difficult induction methods that may leave you feeling groggy in the morning.

Lucid dreaming can vary from full awareness (but no control) to full dream control (changing the landscape and summoning things into existence). Most people initially experience a level somewhere in between and common activities such as flying are easy to grasp.

 

Everyone starts out with varying degrees of dream control ability. If you have a higher level of visualization and spatial awareness skills, you will likely be able to control your dreams better than others. However, dream control is a skill (just like visualization) that can be learned with practice. The Lucid Dreamer provides a gateway to dream awareness so you can get that practice easily, without disturbing your sleep or fumbling with difficult induction techniques.

 

Many experienced lucid dreamers also enjoy the experience of passive lucid dreaming – letting their subconscious mind steer the dream plot. This can feel a lot like an ultra-vivid, 3-Dimensional, full-sensation movie. You’ll be amazed at what your inner self has to share with you!

Whenever you dream (whether you remember the dream or not), your body goes into a state of “REM Atonia” or sleep paralysis. This is when your brain is awake and dreaming but your body is essentially paralyzed. Your body does this naturally and its only function is to prevent you from physically acting out your dreams.

 

The scary hallucinations only happen when your mind is fully awake during REM Atonia, and this kind of sleep paralysis does not happen to most people. Some people using the WILD technique can experience the scary side of sleep paralysis, but even then, they are usually able to see it for what it is and get past it quickly. The Lucid Dreamer does not require consciously falling asleep like the WILD method; therefore the chances of this happening are even slimmer.

 

If you do ever find yourself in sleep paralysis (from lucid dreaming or not), the key is to remember it’s all in your head. Keep your eyes closed and remain calm. Focus on your steady breathing and attempt to visualize a dreamworld. From this point, slipping into a lucid dream is relatively simple, because you’re already halfway there. Remember that sleep paralysis can never harm you and can in fact be put to good use.

Not all lucid dreams come with full control. Sometimes, even though you’re fully aware, it’s your subconscious that’s still running the show. Many lucid dreamers actually love this experience and encourage their subconscious mind to show them what it wants to show them. This can produce some breathtaking landscapes, interesting adventures and insights into your own mind without the misdirection of your ego.

 

However, sometimes your inner self feels like airing out a few anxieties and fears. This can lead to some disturbing nightmare imagery. But that’s not always a bad thing! Since you’re fully aware and know that you’re dreaming, this gives you an opportunity to face your inner demons and overcome fears. Examining your nightmares from a lucid point of view can help you gain a deeper understanding of them.

 

Although it’s recommended to either observe or confront the nightmare, you can always command yourself to wake up if things get too intense for you. Another method of turning the tables on a lucid nightmare is to inform whatever’s scaring you that this is your brain, your dream and your rules. Say it (or think it) with conviction and power, and know that what you’re saying is true. Attempt to regain control of the dream, steer the plot in another direction, or wake yourself.

 

An odd method that always works for me is to start creepily hitting on whatever it is that’s scaring me. Sounds a bit crazy – but it works! The raunchy absurdity is enough to either change the dream completely or end it. I challenge you to try it!

The short answer is: Yes, you can. When you learn to control your lucid dreams, you can use them to practice anything from sports and musical instruments to public speaking and job interviews. Numerous studies such as this one have proven that dream-practice of a skill significantly improves performance of that skill.

Not exactly! Dreams tend to last up to 20 minutes max and lucid dreams are generally shorter. This is mainly due to the dreamer getting too excited and ending it prematurely. But not to worry – there are techniques that can extend the duration of a lucid dream, some of which are provided on our website. Keep in mind that even though your dream may only be 20 minutes in real life, it is common to wake up feeling like you’ve been dreaming for hours.

Other products claiming to induce lucid dreams have been funded on Kickstarter before. However, these devices fail to work for 2 main reasons.

 

• They use technology that is ineffective in lucid dream induction, such as flashing LED lights during REM sleep.
• They use flimsy headbands that easily move, fall off or get pulled off during the night.

 

The Lucid Dreamer uses tACS to wake your conscious mind during the dream-stage of REM sleep, a technique proven to be effective. The sticky electrodes also have a secondary function of securing the device over your eyes and keeping it in place throughout the night.

Yes, the Neuroconn hardware that was used in the Voss study is rather expensive. So was the Starstim equipment that we used to replicate Voss. However, these devices are not consumer devices. There are actually many consumer devices on the market with which you can apply electrical stimulation to the head in a safe way, for example the Alpha-Stim (www.alpha-stim.com) or the Foc.us (no REM sleep detection here however). And of course, our device will have all of the necessary labeling.

 

We designed the Lucid Dreamer with the consumer in mind; comfortable to wear and simple to use without sacrificing the necessary technology.

Use of the Lucid Dreamer does not create physical dependence the way many (psycho)active substances are known to do. However, there is the possibility of the Lucid Dreamer resulting in a psychological dependence similar to other pleasurable activities such as sex, gambling or gaming. If you start over-using the device as a way to escape from the real world, you may be at risk for developing a psychological dependence.

We initially tested the Lucid Dreamer within out team (n=5). Lucidity was defined as it is measured with the scientifically validated questionnaire the LuCiD. Being lucid does not mean you are in full control from the first moment in your dream. It means you have either a heightened sense of Insight, Dissociation or Control. We have found that over time the ability to control the dream increased. Three out of five participants became lucid the first night. One participant became lucid on the second night and one participant on the third. The tests were done with the 40 Hz protocol from the Voss study. The Lucid Dreamer was set to start measuring after 3 AM. Each participant was stimulated two times per night. The number of nights with at least one lucid dream varied between participants. The maximum number was five out of seven nights (one participant) and the minimum was two out of seven nights (one participant).

Further testing indicates that people new to lucid dreaming have a harder time in getting full-blown lucid dreams right from the start. All report clear thought and emotions during dreams, better dream recall, heightened dissociation and even some degree of control. Insight is harder to reach for people who did not mind their dream world before. It’s fascinating that people can experience many factors that are associated with a lucid dream, but still keep ‘believing’ that the dream is real. It is therefore advised to use the MILD exercises in the Lucid Dreamer App in order to mentally prepare for lucid dreams. A well-rested brain is also vital for the lucid dreamer to work optimally.