Thread: What Part Of The Brain Activated When We Become Lucid?

Quoted from Wikipedia:

Neuroscientist J. Allan Hobson has hypothesized as to what might be occurring in the brain while lucid. The first step to lucid dreaming is recognizing that one is dreaming, this recognition might occur in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex which is one of the few areas deactivated during REM sleep, and where working memory occurs. Once this area is activated and the recognition of dreaming occurs the dreamer must be cautious to let the dream delusions continue, but be conscious enough to recognize them. This process might be seen as the balance between reason and emotion. While maintaining this balance the amygdala and parahippocampal cortex might be less intensely activated.[7] To continue the intensity of the dream hallucinations it is expected the pons and the parieto-occipital junction cortex to stay active. In order to verify the predictions of this hypothesis it would be necessary to observe the brain during lucid dreaming using a method such as a PET scan, which captures a snapshot of the blood flow brain. As of 2007, no such experiment has been performed.[8]

I guess I answered my question

I once took my cat for a PET scan and the results confirmed that he was indeed a pet. :)

Originally Posted by Nutzilla

I once took my cat for a PET scan and the results confirmed that he was indeed a pet. [/b]

Yopur best bet is O'nus
He officialy knows everything. and if tis to do with the brain. well, he deifntely knows
Havent seen him around for a while though
You could try PMing him
Imran

Originally Posted by Nutzilla

I once took my cat for a PET scan and the results confirmed that he was indeed a pet. [/b]

rofl

This is from what I have read. (ironically what I can remember) So by no means is this fact.

The hippocampus is the general processor for memory. But if I understand correctly there are what they classify as different types of memory. With the vast storage capacity of our brain it is beginning to be accepted that there may be many areas of the brain functioning for memory.
Through FMRI and PTI and MRI scans we are learning more all the time.

What I thought to believe to have a profound effect on lucid drams is our two hemispheres. The left controls the right and the right controls the left.
My point though is that they are both unique in their functioning. The left hemisphere used more for math, logic and such gets the rest when we fall asleep. The right hemisphere becomes more active during REM with it's more abstract non linear way of thought.
When we become lucid I am guessing that we do awaken part of the left hemisphere, hence become lucid -awake, functional on an awareness scale.

The frontal lobes are responsible for conscious thought. And I know that during normal sleep, the frontal lobes are inactive. An experiment was carried out to see which parts of the brain are active during sleep, and the active areas were more to the middle of the brain. The book I read did not include LD's, though, but I think I'm pretty safe while guessing that the frontal lobes or at least part of it get activated. Especially the left frontal lobe, which is responsible for logical though - so many lucid dreams are induced because somehow an error in the logic of the dream is recognized.