Dreams & Psychedelics: How Lucid Dreaming Is Better Than Taking Any Drug

Though extensively researched upon, the benefits and pros of lucid dreaming are very rarely talked about. Lucid dreaming, as described by Frontiers in Neuroscience, is — ‘A state of consciousness with features of both waking and non-lucid Dreaming’ Simply put, the dreamer is aware, able to control the features and surroundings in the dream. This very feeling of control while lucid dreaming tends to translate in waking life, making the individual highly self aware, conscious of their own feelings and more in touch with their true inner self.

Now, related to what else have you heard of such similar after-effects? Yes, Psychedelics.

A study conducted in 2018 revealed interesting similarities between heightened psychedelic states and dreaming. So, what does this mean for the future of lucid dreaming? Scroll down, let’s find out.

Your brain on psychedelics

Forget about the way it is portrayed in movies. (At least till you read this article!)

The textbook definition of a psychedelic drug as per the Alcohol and drug foundation is,

‘psychedelics (also known as hallucinogens) are a class of psychoactive substances that produce changes in perception, mood and cognitive processes’ The most commonly used psychedelics are :

• Ayahuasca
• LSD
• NBOMes
• Psilocybin
• MDMA
• DMT

As per popular notions and narration of experiences, each ‘trip’ produced by the above psychedelics is different, although most of them affect our mind and brain in a very similar manner.

Science Focus says that ‘classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) are chemically similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin produced by the brain. Serotonin is involved in many neural functions including mood and perception. By mimicking this chemical’s effects, the drugs exert their profound effects on subjective experience.

DMT (or dimethyltryptamine) too acts via serotonergic pathways (the system involving serotonin), but also through other routes — for instance, DMT binds with sigma-1 receptors that are involved in the communication between neurons.

Meanwhile, ketamine — among many other effects — blocks NMDA receptors that are involved in the functioning of the neurotransmitter glutamate.

A key brain area for psychedelic drugs’ effects appears to be the temporal lobe, the location of much emotional and memory functioning. For instance, removal of the front part of the temporal lobe (as a radical treatment for epilepsy) has been shown to prevent the psychological effects of taking LSD’

Health and safety, when it comes to using psychedelic drugs

A study published in 2010, revealed that over 30 million Americans are known to be using/used psychedelic drugs. If not regulated, there are no other safety measures when it comes to using psychedelics to maintain mental well-being. The long-term effects of using psychedelics are yet unknown. Some of the most common long term effects experienced by the regular usage of psychedelic drugs are :

• Flashbacks
• Nightmares (in cases of bad trips)
• Reduced motor coordination
• Focus trouble
• Sleeping disorders
• Addiction

Alcohol and Drug Foundation has also shed some light on why everyone has a different ‘experience’ or a ‘trip’ :

‘Psychedelics affect everyone differently, based on:

• Size, weight, and health
• Whether the person is used to taking it
• Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• The amount is taken
• The strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)’

Lucid dreaming vs Psychedelics

Unlike the consumption of psychedelics, lucid dreaming literally involves training your mind. Just like any meditation, it requires daily practice, using the right stimulants and surroundings. Extensive studies and techniques are being researched so as to make lucid dreaming a success to a person’s psychoactive state of mind. Researches are now in fact claiming the fact that ‘tripping on LSD’ bears a stunning resemblance to the state of being involved in a lucid dream!

As stated in, Livescience, ‘LSD is the drug most likely to induce a lucid dream-like state, which is a type of dream in which the dreamer knows he or she is dreaming and can often control his or her actions, according to the study, published Jan. 22 in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience. ‘

The visuals induced drugs and lucid dreaming are of a similar nature too. Ranging from hallucinations to colors brightening to mild visual distortions. Both lucid dreams as well as psychedelic drugs have the ability to influence our minds and body. Even so, there is a huge difference in the ways it affects our personalities, physical and mental well being.

Persistent use of hallucinogens and psychedelics incur the following effects :

• Psychosis
• Paranoia
• Visual Disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Sleep disorders

Researchers believe in the following benefits of lucid dreaming if practices with precision and science-backed ways to induce a ‘dream-aware’ state of mind:

• Overcoming nightmares ( excluding cases of PTSD)
• Improve motor skills
• Anxiety relief
• A heightened sense of awareness
• Increased focus
• Sleep regulation

There are several popular, safe techniques to unlock ways to lucid dream in a regulated, informed manner. Namely, MILD, WILD, WBTB techniques, maintaining a dream journal, and so on. Though recently, advanced sleep-regulating technologies and their cutting edge products have been promoting the induction of lucid dreaming to benefit their users to a T.

Take for instance the iBand+, an EEG Brain Sensing Headband that not only improves sleep but also helps you induce dreaming as per your own convenience and with customized audio-visual cues. It literally acts as your sleep monitor, thus making you the one being able to control the way you sleep!