September 03 2009
About Lucid Dreaming
I do not write too much about this
subject because of lucid dreaming's esoteric nature. That is to say some
people are put off by the metaphysical nature of the subject matter. However,
lucid dreaming is considered fact amongst
the vast majority of sleep professionals. After all, how can one fictionalize
something that most humans have experienced? I have had hundreds of lucid
dreams in my lifetime... and continue to have them. Being awake and in a
dream is an exhilarating and life-affirming experience.
My theory of lucid dreaming is
based on current popular beliefs that the big human brain transitions from
Alpha (relaxed) to Theta (daydream) to Delta (deep sleep) brainwave patterns.
REM sleep occurs near the beginning of Delta sleep and reoccurs through the
night in transitional areas of this brainwave state (as we first go into,
then come out of Delta) Therefore, I believe that the Theta state (that comfy
daydreamy feeling you get right before slipping off to sleep) and REM sleep
are inherently tied together and sometimes overlap.
Our relaxing sound recordings, as I have
stated before, work on the Theta state. Unlike other relaxing nature sounds
that pretty much work in the Alpha state. Why? Because of the
visualization elements that are in Virtual Dreams. Based on what I
know today I feel secure in stating that lucid dreams occur in an overlap of
REM sleep and the Theta brainwave state.
I do not construct Virtual Dreams
for that purpose, however. It was a happy side-effect. What we do is assist
the troubled sleeper into that Theta state, and thereby into Delta
(deep sleep) by combining relaxing sleep inducing sounds with the mind's
natural ability to visualize. Through a little effort on the sleeper's part
to remain conscious it is possible for lucid dreaming to occur.
More information about lucid dreams can be
found here.
Enjoy.
Brad McBride
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