People love to use lucid dreaming to enjoy their fantasy, which is sometimes impossible in reality. The concept of using LD to live in a movie is also gaining popularity because people want to enjoy their favourite characters. However, researchers report that it can be scary sometimes. For instance, you want to wake up from your dream, but due to medications and practices of lucid dreaming, you are unable to wake up. You will find yourself in terrible conditions in such circumstances. When the idea of lucid dreaming is appealing in reality, then how our production houses may overlook this concept as it is.

Lucid dreaming has somewhat emerged as a zeitgeist, and horror movies draw the mainstream audience's attention by portraying the possibilities and perils of LD in a very enthusiastic way. Movies like inception and behind her eyes picturized the idea that people can shift to other physical realms and meet people in their dreams.

Here are some well-known horror movies on lucid dreaming that flooded the market:

A Nightmare on Elm Street

This is a great horror movie written by Wes Caven for the first time. Several sequels of this movie got released in 1984. Its storyline constitutes a group of teens that face off next to Freddy Krueger. However, Freddy Krueger is a child killer manipulating a glove fabricated with knives that terrorize children through their dreams. Its idea revolves around a boy who is ill with nightmares and wound up becoming extinct in the middle of one. In this, Krueger comes in the dream of kids and kills them. Children also think that they, their family members, and friends are no more, but actually, it is a nightmare. The author intends to highlight the concept that travelling in dreams is possible. And dream world has its physical existence as well.

Dreamscape

In 1984 first sequel of dreamscape of 1n 39m released. In the main plot, a man comes into sight who can cross the threshold and influence people's dreams. That person got hired by a government agency. He lends help to alleviate the nightmares of the president of the United States. President dreams about nuclear war but staggers upon a shooting plot. The twist comes when a patient dies during sleep from a heart problem. The whole storyline is full of threats and horrors.

The Dead of Night

The Dead of night movie story got scripted as a complete, accurate crime show to set up a family makeup. In the original version, Craig enters a country lodge. He gets scared of finding the guests in his home because he met all those in his dreams. Then Craig comes to the house after 1-to 2 such incidents; his wife gives him a mirror. Upon looking in that mirror, he found himself in another place. Craig thinks he is experiencing one after another terrible incident after going to the cottage. But he awakens in his bedroom after a phone call from his host.

On a serious note, if you are a man of strong nerves, you must watch these horror movies. Some LD practitioners recommend watching these to explore the dream world from a deeper approach.

Youtube has been an excellent platform for learning different skills and getting information. It is because visual content is more helpful in understanding and memorizing a concept. Moreover, some people prefer animated videos on written blogs for gaining knowledge. During the covid-19 pandemic, the worth of YouTube increased in many fields because several institutions transferred their courses to online mediums. That is why the different institutes of lucid dreaming also started using youtube to teach people lucid dreaming. Several youtube channels teach how to experience lucid dreaming and the potential applications of using LD. Another benefit of using YouTube for learning lucid dreaming is that you can attend live streamings of different LD experts and ask live questions. Reading comments below the videos helps increase your exposure to the online community of lucid dreaming. Moreover, animated videos can better explain the brain's functioning during LD.

What are the best Youtube Lucid Dreaming Channels?

Many youtube channels provide a complete guide to lucid dreaming, its induction techniques, and uses. Here are a few recommended and ranked channels that give quality content:

• James S Bray is a lucid dreaming expert and experiences frequent lucid dreaming every night. He claims that he can enjoy 4-5 dreams per night. He shares his expertise and usage of different induction techniques on his YouTube channel regarding lucid dreaming. The viewers can ask questions and clear their confusion regarding LD. The channel run by James is Beyond Lucid Dreaming, and more than 100 videos on different aspects of lucid dreaming are available on the channel. James also wrote a book named New horizons of lucid dreaming-techniques and perspectives for lucid practitioners. So, you can go for his videos to master the technique of lucid dreaming.
• Dr. Stephen Laberge also highlights different aspects of lucid dreaming in his videos on a YouTube channel named Science and nonduality. He dialogues with various experts to describe the unveiled concepts of LD. If you are still confused about the actual mechanism of lucid dreaming and cannot differentiate between awareness and consciousness, you can check his videos regarding this concept.

What are some Best Youtube videos on Lucid Dreaming?

Here is the list of some top-rated videos regarding LD:

• Lucid dreaming presentation is the video of a symposium in which Dr. Stephen Laberge explained Sleep consciousness and lucid dreaming in texas.
• If you are interested in movies portraying lucid dreaming, go for this video. It explains briefly the behind her eyes and then describes the phenomenon of lucid dreaming. Some facts about lucid dreaming are also available in the video.
• Another excellent video on lucid dreaming is the animated content that presents the brain's functioning and mechanisms during the REM sleep cycle. The video also verifies the authenticity of lucid dreaming by sharing different research articles.

So, lucid dreamers must watch youtube videos demonstrating the induction techniques and the mechanism. Moreover, if you are an audiophile, you can also search on YouTube regarding different audiobooks on the topic of lucid dreaming.

The evolution of technology and modern devices is beneficial to humans for several reasons. On a medical level, modernized devices can assist in the treatment of many sick individuals, thereby saving many lives and combating extremely dangerous diseases and infections. Almost every industry in the world has seen a rise in production, thanks to technological advancements and devices. These technologies and the modern era caught the interest of high-tech corporations, which have launched to commercialize portable Lucid dreaming induction devices for the general population.

Researchers reported the first study on generating LD during REM sleep in 1987. With the success of light stimulation, scientists tested a portable computerized biofeedback device called Dream Light for the first time. Following these tests, a famous scientist and his colleagues at the Lucidity Institute launched the first commercially available LD inducer, the dreamer sleeping mask.

In this article, you learn about different devices, their working, and their effectiveness in achieving lucid dreams.

What Types of Devices Are Available in the Market?

There are different types of devices available in the market that can be used to control dreams. It can be

• Headband
• Sleeping mask

Headband

The first device that is available in the market to use is a headband, and it was invented in December 2013 & this platform is open-source, allowing users to participate in its development.

The costliest headband device was released in 2018. It is a sleep-monitoring headband that emits light, vibrotactile, and aural stimulation, as well as the ability to record dream events. It is currently being tested in several universities and research institutes throughout the world. Two frontal sensors capture brainwave activity and ocular movements, which are used to track sleep.

Sleeping Mask

Among all masks, there is a mask invented by the American pharmaceutical company that has two distinct features. For starters, it can promote lucidity by recording and playing audio messages, such as the user saying "I'm dreaming," which can then develop into dreams. Second, it lets the dreamer and the machine communicate with each other.

Are Lucid Dreaming Devices Effective or Not?

The new devices all use sensors to detect EEG brainwave patterns associated with REM sleep, which is when the majority of lucid dreams happen. Then, in an attempt to create lucid dreaming, they use some type of stimulation—lights, music, or an electric current.

The next technologies that use EEG to identify REM sleep may be more successful, although their accuracy has yet to be verified. There are a few tried-and-true mental approaches for promoting lucid dreams that don't require any special equipment.

How Do Lucid Dreaming Devices Work?

EEG electrodes are pressed on the wearer's forehead to detect REM sleep. Once the device recognizes that the sleeper is in that zone, it employs LED lights and auditory cues that may appear in the sleeper's dream and prompt the thinking, "Oh, I must be dreaming." While users are sleeping, the Neuron Open can play guided meditations to boost the likelihood of having lucid dreams.

Conclusion

Lucid dreaming devices have been getting popular over the past decade, but there is much research required. We conclude that better-controlled validation studies are necessary to prove the effectiveness of LD induction devices.

It is exciting to know that different botanical keys are available to induce lucid dreams. Nature has gifted us with Oneriogens (Onerio means dream and gen mean to generate) to experience LD vividly. These are a class of herbs that act as allies for LD and assist in better exploration of the imaginary world.

Oneriogens were get used for a long time in ancient Mexico and South Africa. The population of those areas used these dream plants in their rituals to get vivid and intensive dream activity. Since then, it has been customary to use different oneriogens for visiting mysterious sites while sleeping.

In short, oneriogens are herbal agents that assist in psychological therapy during LD. However, keep in mind, oneriogens themselves do not act as emotional healers. These special herbs help a person to induce LD. So, it is the lucid dream that eventually helps the dreamer deal with his psychological issues.

Which type of oneriogens is helpful for lucid dreaming?

Several dream plants were common in Australia, Mexico, Amazon, South Africa for inducing dreams. The details of some herbs possessing oneriogenic properties are here for guidance:

Mugwort

If you are passionate about lucid dreaming, you must try Mugwort. A Famous herbalist named Mathew wood considered the flowers of this plant as a magical herb. So, it is an effective dream inducer that also helps to remember the dreams.

Imphepho

Kwazulu natives of south Africa recommend this herb for inducing profound dreams. Imphepho acts as a strong sedative that improves consciousness during LD. So, herbalists recommend this botanical herb for getting meditation and crystal-clear dreams.

Calea zacatechichi

Calea zacatechichi is also well-known with the names dream herb or leaf of god. Scientific findings are available that this herbal agent has remarkable dream-inducing power. Moreover, it also enables the dreamer to develop colourful dreams.

Several other dream plants also include Silene capensis, Gingko Biloba, Nymphea blue, Passiflora, etc. Everyone has their efficacy that may help out a person to induce dreams. So, you may select the one that suits your stomach and temperament.

Ginkgo Biloba

It is another dream plant that directly affects brain functioning. A lucid dreamer becomes more alert and conscious during LD after using a herbal tea or potion containing Ginkgo Biloba.

How to use oneriogens for inducing lucid dreaming?

The induction of lucid dreams is achievable by using the following ways to use oneriogens to get more indulged in the dreaming state.

Internal Usage

Some plants like Calea zacatechichi, peppermint, valerian root, and Ginkgo Biloba are best for use in the form of tea, tincture, or coffee. Another way of using oneriogens internally is to take a capsule of the dried and ground leaves.

External Usage

External uses of the dream plants involve placing the fired leaves or flowers under the bed or in the pillowcase. Mugwort, Datura, and Burdock are placeable in the pillowcase for enjoying vivid and prophetic dreams. Another way of using these herbs is by using organic extracts of oneriogens plants or sniffing their odour.

Some peoples have a God-gifted ability to dream lucidly, while others may not have. So, oneriogens plants are a miraculous gift of nature to induce LD. If you are poor at experiencing lucid dreams, you can use these dream plants extracts for improving your dream state.

Lucid Dreaming is a practice that requires patience, dedication, and work. It‘s easy enough to get lost with all the daily routines and activities, especially if you have a busy schedule. Luckily, there are many tools available that can assist you in the journey toward the world of Lucid Dreams. However, choosing the one that works great and offers the best overall experience may be tiresome. To save you the trouble, we‘ve tried out nearly every option available on the market and identified the best ones overall. So, here are the five best apps for Lucid Dreamers.

     1. YoruX

Pros:

• User friendly, easy to navigate                                    
• Has every tool necessary and more
• Dream sharing community
• Dedicated library for Lucid Dream meditations
• Techniques and tips for Lucid Dreamers
• Available both on iOS and Android
• Completely free

Cons:

• Little room to organize the dream journal

YoruX stands a head above its competitors. It has everything a Lucid Dreamer needs – a dream journal, reality check reminders, auto-alarm, guided meditations, tips, and techniques. Even though the list of its features is very extensive, the app is exceptionally user-friendly and easy to navigate. It has no ads and is completely free.

YoruX also has something that was never part of any other Lucid Dreaming app – dream wall. It allows the users to share their dreams with other users and engage with the dreams of others via likes and comments. Being in the app feels like you‘re a part of a larger community. It‘s hard to find any flaws in the app, and it looks like the developers are still working on additional features. 

Since we are demanding people, a lack of a way to organize your dream journal by type of dreams is a bit unfortunate. It would be awesome to see a statistic on how many regular dreams, nightmares, or lucid dreams we’ve had since the start of using the app. However, from what we gathered in the forums, the developers are already working on solving this issue.

     2. Awoken

Pros:

• Easy to navigate
• Has every tool a Lucid Dreamer needs                                                       
• Provides an extensive intro to Lucid Dreams
• Free to use
• Reminds you to record your dreams
• Custom reality check sounds

Cons:

• The user interface is a bit bland
• You have to pay to remove the ads and access additional features, such as dream patterns
• Not available on iOS
• No basic reality check sounds

Awoken provides you with the tools necessary to have a Lucid Dream – it has a dream journal, reality checks, and dream clues. Additionally, you can learn the basics about Lucid Dreaming on the app by reading their guide. Overall it‘s a great minimalistic app if you‘re not too picky.

However, if you are a bit on the demanding side, you will find a couple of flaws. The app is not available for iOS, which is a huge con if you‘re an iPhone user.

Additionally, the user interface may feel a bit bland and dull. You‘ll have to choose the totem sounds from your own library as the app doesn‘t have any built-in melodies. The ads are a bit annoying, and you‘ll have to buy the premium version to get rid of them.

     3. Dreamkit

Pros:

• User friendly and very easy to navigate
• Reality checks and dream journal
• An extensive guide to Lucid Dreams
• Completely free both on iOS and Android

Cons:

• Lacks many tools featured in other apps
• Very strict reality check control

Dreamkit is a very basic app for Lucid Dreamers. It has the two vital components – reality checks and dream journal. Also, you can find five articles about Lucid Dreams and various induction techniques to learn more about them. The app is very easy to navigate and is completely free to use.

On the other hand, a more demanding person will find the lack of many other features rather displeasing. There‘s only one sound for reality checks, and their use is rather strict – the period between reality check reminders can only be chosen in 30-minute intervals (every 30 minutes, every hour, every 90 minutes, and so on). Overall it‘s a minimalistic app for Lucid Dreamers but leaves much to be desired.

     4. MILD trainer

Pros:

• Predicated upon the dreamer‘s effort
• Utilizes a Lucid Dreaming technique
• Available both on iOS (paid) and Android (free)

Cons:

• No dream journal
• Very little features
• Paid for iOS
• Hard to navigate

If you‘re interested in trying out a Lucid Dreaming technique, MILD trainer might be the app for you. It will provide you with a day‘s „target list“ – a list of things, sounds, and activities that you will have to notice during the day. It teaches mindfulness and prepares you for the MILD technique, which the app introduces extensively. It can also remind you of the tasks you have to perform during the day via a silent notification.

However, the app is designed strictly for MILD training. You won‘t find a dream journal to record your dreams, nor the reality checks to train your awareness (although the target list may work as a reality check). The user interface is not very friendly, and you‘ll need time to get used to it. The app is also not free for iOS users. 

     5. Mind awake

Pros:

• User friendly and easy to navigate
• An extensive library of guided meditations
• Dream journal
• Available both on iOS and Android
• Completely free

Cons:

• Lacks reality check reminders

Mind awake is an excellent app for relaxation, meditation, and dream recording. It is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. However, the app is minimalistic and lacks an essential tool for Lucid Dreamers – reality checks. In short, Mind awake is a great place to relax, meditate, and improve your sleep quality overall. But you‘ll have to resort to an additional app if you‘re serious about Lucid Dreaming.

Several scientific findings showed that video gaming helps induce lucid dreams. Gackenbach researched in 2006 the connection between video games and LD. A plethora of other Different types of Video games and lucid dreaming highlights the fundamental reasons why gamers have more probability of experiencing lucid dreams.

"That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet."

You might think about whether disabled people can experience lucid dreaming or not? The answer is yes. Lucid dreaming opened a gateway for people to improve their innate skills or to recover from a disability. From a vibrant athlete to a person in a wheelchair, anyone can enjoy their favourite movements during LD.

What are you doing before reading this article? It depends on your habits, aptitude and your working environment. Some might be doing physical work like exercise, house chores, or job-related tasks, while others can be busy performing mental work, such as office work, writing, painting etc.

During the pandemic COVID-19, lockdowns happened worldwide; people were restricted to their homes, some had jobs from homes, and some were jobless. During this lockdown, lucid Dreaming became more popular all around the world. In the global world, lucid Dreaming is not new for anyone; it is getting popular nowadays.

We are living in an era where the mobile phone is considered as the basic necessity for living. The mobile phone users are not limited to an area, but the spread is worldwide like lucid dreaming.

People often think that violent video games spread violence in society and increase frustration. However, there is also something good about playing video games, which is related to lucid dreaming.

For many of us, dreams are just like watching movies, and sometimes we play a role in that movie; but usually, we can’t change anything in our dream. However, all dreams are not the same, and according to research, around 50% of us experience a conscious and controlled dream at least once in the lifetime; this type of dream state is referred to as a lucid dream.

Emerging technologies have enabled us to experience unusual or even impossible activities in our real lives. You can fly, free fall from a mountain, or explore the underwater world without doing it in reality and all these unique experiences are possible using technology like VR devices.

“Lucid dreaming will take months to experiment,” beginner lucid dreamers can get dishearten by this fact. However, there is always a ray of hope, which is valid for lucid dreaming; many other effective techniques exist to support and fasten the process of inducing lucid dreams. But you must remember two things regarding LD – no magic exists to induce lucid dreams, and not every technique will work for everyone.

Lucid dreams are sleep-awakening experiences when your brain is conscious about dreaming and can control the dream. These are fantastic experiences and occur mainly during REM sleep, characterized by eye movement and increased brain activity.

Many people experience nightmares – dreams filled with fear or threat that leaves the dreamer in distress. They feel anxious when sleeping, and it results in a disruption of awakening life. These nightmares can happen naturally, and there are certain causes of these frightening experiences.