In a nutshell

In lucid dreaming, awareness of being in a dream returns during sleep. That insight does not automatically allow unrestricted control of actions or surroundings.

Why does it happen?

Self-observation and insight into one’s own state partially return within the dream. Studies associate this with altered activity in frontal and parietal networks. Some findings come from small studies and do not yet establish a fully understood circuit mechanism.

Frequency

Many people report at least an occasional lucid dream; regular lucid dreaming is less common. Reports depend in part on dream recall and survey methods.

Frequency is a qualitative description, not your individual probability.

Is it normal?

A variation in the experience of dreaming.

Does this happen to you?

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How others answer

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Sources (1)
  1. The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming (opens a new tab)

    This source supports the description and physiological context of this entry.

    Author / institution
    Benjamin Baird; Sergio A Mota-Rolim; Martin Dresler
    Year
    2019
    Publication
    Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
    DOI
    10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.008

Editorial update: . AI-assisted research and editing; not individually reviewed by a physician. How we research