Researchers have discovered that lucid dreaming is not just a vivid sleep state—it’s a unique form of consciousness. Unlike regular dreams, where people are unaware they’re dreaming, lucid dreamers gain control, enabling them to fly, walk through walls, or face fears. Previously, scientists thought lucid dreams were just intense REM sleep dreams. But new findings reveal distinct brain activity patterns, differing from both wakefulness and normal dreaming. The study found reduced beta waves (linked to alertness) in areas controlling spatial awareness and self-perception, while gamma waves (associated with focus) spiked in the prefrontal cortex. “This research opens the door to a deeper understanding of lucid dreaming as an intricate state of consciousness by pointing to the possibility that conscious experience can arise from within sleep itself,” said lead researcher Çağatay Demirel of Radboud University. “This work offers a perspective that could challenge the traditional binary view of sleep and wakefulness.” By analyzing EEG data from past studies, the team compared wakefulness, REM sleep, and lucid dreaming. While surface-level brain activity looked similar to REM sleep, deeper analysis revealed key differences. Beta wave reduction in the temporal and parietal lobes may help the brain recognize the dream isn’t real. Meanwhile, gamma wave surges in the precuneus—linked to self-awareness—coincided with lucidity. Interestingly, these patterns resemble psychedelic experiences (like LSD or ayahuasca), which also affect the precuneus. But “While psychedelics often lead to a dissolution of ego… lucid dreams may actually harness elements of self-awareness and control,” Demirel noted. Lucid dreams can happen naturally, but techniques like the MILD method (Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams) can help induce them. According to SleepFoundation.org, steps include: 1. Recall a recent dream upon waking. 2. Identify dream signs to recognize you’re dreaming. 3. Repeat: “When I begin dreaming, I will remember that I’m dreaming.” 4. Focus on the dream and phrase until falling asleep. This method works about 20% of the time. The findings, published in The Journal of Neuroscience,could pave the way for groundbreaking research on consciousness and brain function. The post How Lucid Dreaming Rewires Your Brain – New Study Reveals appeared first on Anomalien.com.