A study accepted in the journal\u00a0Sleep<\/em>\u00a0last month (but not yet published) claims that lucid dreaming should be not be considered a REM dreaming phenomenon but rather a unique state of consciousness (Voss, et al., 2009). Poetically, the assertion that lucid dreaming has elements of waking consciousness and dreaming has been made for years. \u00a0 But this study, conducted at the Neurological Laboratory in Frankfurt, Germany, backs the assertion with physiological data taken with an EEG.<\/strong><\/p>\n Lucid dreams have an increased frequency in the 40Hz (GAMMA) range<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Despite the small sample size, Voss and company\u2019s findings are intriguing<\/strong>.\u00a0 Specifically,\u00a0lucid dreams are shown to differ<\/span>\u00a0from ordinary (REM) dreams by an increased brain frequency in the 40Hz (or GAMMA) range in the frontal and frontolateral areas of the brain. These areas are considered by many scientists to be the seat of linguistic thought, as well as other higher mental functions associated with self-awareness.<\/p>\n This \u201chybrid state\u201d of waking and dreaming fits in well with study co-author Allan Hobson\u2019s\u00a0AIM model for sleep cognition<\/a>. The AIM model essentially maps and predicts possible kinds of consciousness in sleep based on three different spectra:<\/p>\n Lucid dreaming, the authors say, can therefore be mapped separately from ordinary dreams due, in this case, to the unique activation on the GAMMA level. The authors say the next step is to test lucid dreaming in the lab with brain imagery devices, such as a fMRI.<\/p>\n Lucid dreaming research is really an off-shoot of this scientific tradition, especially as it looks for physical markers that coincide with subjective qualities such as self-awareness or free will.\u00a0 (For an introduction to lucid dreaming, here\u2019s my\u00a0beginner\u2019s guide<\/a>.)Finding the unique physiological markers of consciousness has long been the holy grail of science.\u00a0 We\u2019ve had a few interesting theories along the way. For instance, Rene Descartes put his money on the pineal gland, while today other scientists say consciousness is aproduct of microtubules<\/a>\u00a0in the brain\u2019s neurons.<\/p>\n In the 1980s, many psychologists predicted that ALPHA level frequencies ((8-12 Hz) would clearly demark lucid dreams from ordinary dreams \u2013 but further studies showed that ALPHA levels remain more or less depressed through most of sleep, including even the most lucid of dreams. (Olgivie, Vieri, Small, 1991)<\/p>\n More recently, Holzinger, LaBerge and Levitan published a study (2006) emphasizing how the BETA-1 (13-19 Hz) frequency band is associated with lucid dreams, more so than ordinary dreams. They further isolated this small, but statistically significant, hiccup of activity to the parietal lobe, an area of the brain associated with spatial sense and navigation.<\/p>\n In any case, wherever consciousness may or may not \u201clive\u201d, the high levels of GAMMA range of activation shown in this study need more tests with larger pools of subjects before we can say with any certainty that lucidity has a reproducible physical signature.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the 40 Hz bandwidth of brain activity has a popular following in brain entrainment, a form of neuro-hynotherapy whose adherents say induces brain synchronization by listening to music with frequencies that the brain matches in response.\u00a0\u00a0 Anecdotally, many lucid dreamers claim to have learned lucid dreaming with the help of these brain entrainment tools, such as binaural beats and light stimuli inside of sleep masks.<\/p>\n Brain entrainment can increase concentration, memory, and induce relaxation: all states of mind that can\u00a0indirectly<\/em>\u00a0lead to lucid dreams.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Now just because GAMMA may be correlated with consciousness does not necessarily mean that listening to GAMMA-inducing binaural beats will automatically increase your lucid dreams.\u00a0 Actually, there\u2019s no peer-reviewed study on lucid dreaming and brain entrainment.\u00a0 However, there\u2019splenty of evidence<\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0brain entrainment can increase concentration, memory, and induce relaxation: all states of mind that canindirectly<\/em>\u00a0lead to lucid dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n Most lucid dreaming brain entrainment tools available today focus on the DELTA and THETA waves, essentially paving the way for a relaxing yet alert descent into sleep onset and REM sleep.\u00a0 Timing is important, too; I\u2019ll discuss more about lucid dreaming incubation techniques using binaural beats soon.<\/p>\n There are some correlations for the\u00a0GAMMA band and consciousness<\/a>, so we may see some new products on the market soon.\u00a0 The literature is tempting, as the 40hz band has been shown to be associated with high levels of meditation (Lutz, et al 2004)\u00a0 as well as the ability to be hypnotized (De Pascalis, 1993). Reduced GAMMA synchronization, on the other hand, has recently been associated with autism (Rojas, 2008).<\/p>\n Keep in mind \u2014 I know I sound like a broken record about this point \u2014 no lucid dreaming pill, meditation CD, or expensive biofeedback software will make you lucid.\u00a0 Lucidity comes by grace of intentionality, which in turn brings a cognitive habit of self-awareness.\u00a0 Or vice versa, by grace of spontaneous awareness, calling for a habit of intentionality.<\/p>\n However,\u00a0binaural beats for lucid dreaming<\/a>\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0help with laying the cognitive foundation for a strong intention and for becoming more comfortable with self-awareness in other states of consciousness, which is by far the biggest hurdle in learning how to lucid dream.\u00a0 The most successful binaural beats for lucid dreaming take this approach. \u00a0 Entrainment (which can happen through the habit of many kinds of rituals and exercises) concretizes our intentions, \u2014 the idea is made external \u2014 while boosting the brain states that lucidity thrives within.<\/p>\n But still, we have to do the hard work of waking up ourselves.<\/p>\n Beyond the possible application of future GAMMA brainwave entrainment, this study really makes a bold claim that lucid dreaming is not a dream, but a separate state of consciousness.<\/p>\n To be honest, I\u2019m not sure how I feel about this designation.<\/p>\n Lucidity is not an On-Off switch, but a spectrum.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n From a phenomenological perspective, self-awareness in dreams comes and goes.\u00a0\u00a0Lucidity is not an On-Off switch, but a spectrum.<\/span>\u00a0In fact, there\u2019s several kinds of spectra, from volition (dream control) to self-awareness (\u201cI\u2019m dreaming\u201d) to emotional meta-cognition markers (\u201cI am angry: I wonder why.\u201d)\u00a0 Voss\u2019s and Hobson\u2019s definition of lucid dreaming is too general to get a sense for what particular aspect of self-awareness is amplified during lucid dreams.<\/p>\n However, some lucid dreams really do feel like an unique state of consciousness with the best aspects of dreaming and waking cognition.\u00a0 For this reason, anthropologist and neurophilosopher Micheal Winkelman (2000) has called lucid dreaming a \u201cshamanic state of consciousness,\u201d because it \u201cintegrates the potentials of dreaming and waking consciousness\u201d (p. 135).\u00a0 And consciousness scholar Harry Hunt (1988) has said that lucid dreaming is really a peak experience the way Abraham Maslow used the word, as a state defined by clarity, exhilaration, and openness.\u00a0 So there is some support from the transpersonal psychologists (who study altered states for a living) on this idea of lucid dreaming as a distinct state in its own right.<\/p>\n In sum, because cultural styles of what \u201clucidity\u201d means affect which brain areas activate during a so-called lucid dream,\u00a0 the GAMMA signature should be taken with a grain of salt. \u00a0 That said, if the 40 Hz signature can be repeated clinically, then lucid dreaming could help neuroscientists find other markers of conscious thought in sleep, leading towards a renaissance of directed and unconstrained brain mapping.\u00a0 This, over time, has the potential to revise our understanding about the interaction between mind and matter.<\/p>\n Cited:<\/p>\n De Pascalis, V. (1993). EEG spectral analysis during hypnotic induction, hypnotic dream and age reduction.\u00a0International journal of psychophysiology<\/em>, 15(2), pp.153-166.<\/p>\n Holzinger, B. Laberge, S., Levitan, L., (2006) Psychophsiological correlates of lucid dreaming.\u00a0Dreaming<\/em>. 16(2), pp. 88-95.<\/p>\n Hunt, H. (1989).\u00a0The multiplicity of dreams: memory, imagination and consciousness<\/a>. Yale University Press.<\/p>\n\n
The Quest for Uniting the Mind and the Brain<\/h2>\n
Brain Entrainment, Intentionality and Lucid Dreaming<\/h2>\n
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Lucid Dreaming: A Separate State of Consciousness ?<\/h3>\n
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