Tips for dark/abnormal fantasies in lucid dreams

For this post, I'll delve into the reasons why lucid dreaming is a potent method of indulging dark fantasies, and offer some definitions of terms that will pop up repeatedly over the course of the account. More definitions can be found on this list.

While I frame these posts as if talking to a reader, I'm not here entirely as a teacher. I am going to use this account as opportunities to get back into lucid dreaming, research further than I've ever gotten, and maybe detail some of my dreams. If there is a reader interested in lucid dream tips, we'll be on that journey together.

First,

a Letter to Those with Dark Fantasies (skip this part if just wanting the reasons and definitions):

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Why Lucid Dreaming:

Lucid dreaming is when the dreamer comes to the realisation that everything around them is a dream. For some adept lucid dreamers, this realisation comes at the start of the dream. Following the lucidity is a massive potential for the dreamer to take reigns of their environment. If they want the personalities of dream characters to be different, they can do it. If they want to change their dream appearance, they'll own the new look. If they want the dream to look more realistic than real life, the dream bends to their will.

Details under the cut:

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In summary, lucid dreams can be a place to put out any fantasy one would have - whether it be dark secrets, practicing a job interview, and more - that could take a while to achieve, yet reap rewards such as preparation for life and increased insight. In addition, it provides fun that might not be found in real life. While there are parts to lucid dreaming that one could be careful about, such as declining health from deliberate induction methods or being stuck in nightmares while lucid, there have been ways to circumvent the cons by trying other methods. Like all things, lucid dreaming is not right for everyone. For those who would benefit from trying, however, the lucid dream communities that have withstood years are readily on the internet to provide tips for going from a LD beginner to a LD expert.

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References

Aviram L and Soffer-Dudek N (2018). Lucid Dreaming: Intensity, But Not Frequency, Is Inversely Related to Psychopathology. Front. Psychol. 9:384. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00384

Bourke, Patrick & Shaw, Hannah. (2014). Spontaneous Lucid Dreaming Frequency and Waking Insight. Dreaming. 24. 152-159. 10.1037/a0036908.

LaBerge, S. (2014). “Lucid dreaming: paradoxes of dreaming consciousness,” in Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence, eds E. E. Cardeña, S. J. E. Lynn, and S. E. Krippner (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association), 145–173. doi: 10.1037/14258-006

Smith, B.V., & Blagrove, M. (2015). Lucid dreaming frequency and alarm clock snooze button use. Dreaming 25, 291-299.

Soffer-Dudek, N., Wertheim, R., and Shahar, G. (2011). Lucid dreaming and resilience in the face of exposure to terrorism. J. Trauma. Stress 24, 125–128. doi: 10.1002/jts.20601

Tart, C. T. (1988). “From spontaneous event to lucidity,” in Conscious Mind, Sleeping Brain, eds J. Gackenbach and S. LaBerge (New York, NY: Springer), 67–103. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4757-0423-5_5

Tholey, P. (1988). “A model for lucidity training as a means of self-healing and psychological growth,” in Conscious Mind, Sleeping Brain, eds J. Gackenbach and S. LaBerge (New York, NY: Springer), 263–287