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So I took a break from LD'ing. I was using it as a way to escape my REAL life, and figuired that could not be healthy. Now some time later, I'm getting back into it. I have ONE question though.
Nicotine and dreaming. I am a big user of chewing tobacco and dip (Gross, I know.) And can NOT remember my last dream... I usually chew right before bed, does anyone think this could be effecting my dream recall? Thanks in advance.
-The weird local metal head.
I was a smoker for 4 years, for the pas six months I have tried various techniques of quitting from electronic cigs to nicorette gum. The thing I have noticed most about LDing is that nicotine itself doesn't seem to effect it for me unless, I have not had enough and I am going through withdraws when I try to go to bed. If I have a cig or chew the gum before bed I have no problems LDing, but if I go to bed with withdraws I am restless for hours then have a long sleep that I do not wake from or remember my dreams.
Hmm. Something to think about I guess.
But on a positive note I chewed right before bed(Like always) and remembered a few non lucid dreams! Cool!
Nicotine definitely interacts with your dreaming. The simple explanation is that It changes the way acetylcholine binds with receptors in your brain. In the short term, nicotine can actually increase dream recall and vividness. Many people report crazy dreams when they wear the nicotine patch, for example. In fact, I've known several people who wear it recreationally when they sleep. That doesn't mean nicotine is good for dreaming, though. Habitual nicotine use can cause desensitization to the abnormally high levels of acetylcholine in your brain, which may be what is interfering with your dreams.
I don't really understand the details, myself, so someone else can give you a better answer. If you are into such things, you can do some research about nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
Keep in mind that our dreams change, naturally, as we age. We tend to dream less often as we grow older. You can't compare the dreams you had as a teenager with the dreams you have as an adult. Teenage years are an amazing time for dreaming.
Recreational use of nicotine for dreaming should be avoided as it is detrimental to ones health and nicotine is a very addictive chemical. This message is to anyone thinking of doing this. I'd advise against it, instead seek an alternative for vividness.