Uneasy about Lucid Dreams

Kid-Lucid's post made me uneasy about lucid dreams so I looked around and it seems that lucid dreaming can sometimes be harmful for a person. One of the problems was depression and using lucid dreaming; this quote especially unsettles me

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I am caught in the position that I honestly believe that Lucid Dreaming is both a very good and very dangerous thing. Good, in that I have used it successfully for a number of purposes, all of which I am very proud to have done: works of Theurgy, healing rituals, and so forth. Dangerous, in that I cannot in any conscience endanger the mental well-being of any eager young neophyte. I speak as one who has himself suffered Depressive moods in the past, which I see with hindsight as nothing but my own fault.

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I know that i am seeing the beginnings of clinical depression in my own life and cant help but look at why im trying to lucid dream and im starting to think that maybe this isnt such a good idea

Well everything is dangeorus, because anything can happen. It's too bad that LDing made him feel like that. It's up to you to decide whether to do it or not and calculate the pros and cons. I don't know why he experienced all those things (I couldn't realy tell from his post). Yes some techniques involve doubting reality or treating it as a dream. It might have been that or something else most of us (I guess) don't experience. There are at least a thousand active dreamers on these forums and I very rarely see posts like his. Some are natural LDers and I've heard that some have never eaven had a normal dream before. It just shows us something we all know, that people are very different from eacother. It's up to you to think this through. All I know is that every LD I have is amazing and I'm glad to have them. I don't care if I go mentaly insane, which I really doubt, because I'm going to die someday anyway. The only thing important is to have fun while I'm still here. LDs are fun and I'm going to try and have them as long as it is so. You can fly! :flyaway:

ok, im no scientist or physchologist...but i would have said LDing is beneficial not detrimental. Unless you get depressed from non-lucid dreams. I would say nothing can change; same as dreaming except you are aware. nothing to be worried about in my opinion.

i agreee with Bonsay: they are fun and exciting..

Yah, i'm about 99.9999999999% sure that there is NO conection between LDing and depression/psychological problems. I started LDing a few months ago and all it has done for me is i'm more perceptive and aware in waking life. I'm also more calm and in-tune with my subconcious. It makes me feel good about myself when I succeed at LDing so it has also improved my self-esteem. Believe me, there is nothing harmful about LDing. Have fun and good luck.

Its usually quite the opposite for me, whenever i wake up from a LD it gives me this great feeling of elation. And as for LD dreams making you doubt reality, well sure they do because they are just as real as waking life, but that shouldn't lead to depression. If waking life is just like a dream I don't believe it devalues it at all, just allows you to step back and take it a little more lightheartedly.

I dont think the problem i have with lucid dreams right now is doubting reality, rather its more trying to escape reality and ignore the problems i have.

Not to say that I agree completely with LDing being harmfull but I think if U feel that the method Ur using to have them is harmfull U will know it. I have been feeling that reality is a false front..generated by something or someone as a result of the 'MY LIFE IS A DREAM' method but I also realised that it is unhealthy to think like that. So it's really up to the dreamer's responsibility to ensure his own mental safety. There are many ways to induce lucidity even drugs which is also harmfull. So it really depends on how U get there rather than LDing being dangerous.

IMJ

LDs are capable of great and bad things... but it depends on the person. Fear and expectation of bad things will inevitably cause dreams to turn into nightmares, and even LD's can take a nasty turn. However, if you take a positive approach with dreaming, the positiveness will reflect in their nature. Why? Because of the nature of dreaming. Expect or fear something to happen and it will, so expect positive occurances and naturally they will happen. All in all, it all depends on your mindset. I find that in the three LD's I've had that they've generally been enlightening experiences. Now I just need to work towards getting more of them...

Kid Lucid showed us how Contagious Fear is.

Can you, honostly, explain to me how Lucid Dreaming is Related to Depression? In my experienc e it has only enlightened me and actually soothed my stressed mind. I can tell you from experience that some Lucid Dreams made me feel VERY well rested after only 3 to 4 hours of sleep not to mention they awoke me in pure exstatic joy much like the satisfaction of some real good sex but then purely Mental. This may indicate that Lucid Dreams increase Serotonin production making me more cheerfull, active and energetic; something that comes like rain in the dessert for someone suffering from 7 months of Insomnia.

Maybe Kid Lucid and this other guy you quoted were people having subjective, personal mental issues. Who sais they are related to Lucid Dreaming? Maybe they both couldn't find any obvious reason for their mental issues and pointed out Lucid Dreaming as the evil-doer. Many people, when faced with a difficult problem, tend to "blame" something or someone so they can eliminate that factor or person in the ignorant hope that their problem will then be gone.


I sure hope that with this Post the Fear-virus stops from spreading. Lucid Kid is a Scarecrow in the marvelous world of Lucid Dreaming. The fear is irrational and has no facts to be based on.

Lucid dreaming makes me a very happy person! The feeling of joy I experience from one good Lucid Dream, can Last me for weeks!

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

I dont think the problem i have with lucid dreams right now is doubting reality, rather its more trying to escape reality and ignore the problems i have.

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I've heard people say that if they have a problem in life, they try to deal with it in lucid dreams and that gives them renewed confidence for dealing with things in waking life.

A lot of people try to escape from reality. I say that if the only thing you're doing to get away from it all is LDing... well then where is the problem with that? Now if you were doing drugs or getting wasted every night, then that would be a problem. I don't support escaping reality using any method, but if you're just doing it by lucid dreaming, then that's probably the least harmful method available. :)

just tyr it once. believe me, if it does cause depression, and im pretty sure it doesn't, it wil take more than 1 try. I say LDs would be worth any side effects, even though i bet there are none.

Listen to bluefinger and SKA. They know what they're talking about on this issue. Unless your lucid dreams are nightmares then they have far more potential for positive results than for negative. But even if they are nightmares, you're lucid! You know they are only dreams and can combat your threats without fear. Lucidity EMPOWERS you!

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

Kid-Lucid's post made me uneasy about lucid dreams so I looked around and it seems that lucid dreaming can sometimes be harmful for a person. One of the problems was depression and using lucid dreaming; this quote especially unsettles me

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I am caught in the position that I honestly believe that Lucid Dreaming is both a very good and very dangerous thing. Good, in that I have used it successfully for a number of purposes, all of which I am very proud to have done: works of Theurgy, healing rituals, and so forth. Dangerous, in that I cannot in any conscience endanger the mental well-being of any eager young neophyte. I speak as one who has himself suffered Depressive moods in the past, which I see with hindsight as nothing but my own fault.

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First of all, nowhere in there does Kid-Lucid provide evidence to support such a concern. Being an LDer and being depressed doesn't mean squat. You think that being depressed excludes you from being capable of dreaming lucidly? Of course not. Some killers have had lucid dreams but that doesn't imply that awareness of the dream state breeds killers.

What in his/her post - besides Kid's negative attitude - says that LDing caused any problems at all? Kid-Lucid certainly seems to distrust the phenomena, yes, but only distrust is expressed. Not chain of events or cause and effect.

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

I know that i am seeing the beginnings of clinical depression in my own life and cant help but look at why im trying to lucid dream and im starting to think that maybe this isnt such a good idea

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That may be. You may choose to consult a specialist in depression about whether or not LDing is right for you. It's all about you, my friend. If something doesn't feel right to you - with regards to anything in life - then you need to evaluate the situation carefully.

That being said, LDing has never been known to cause or worsen any mental problems that I'm aware of.

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

I dont think the problem i have with lucid dreams right now is doubting reality, rather its more trying to escape reality and ignore the problems i have.

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But depression shouldn't be worsened by questioning reality. It's simply a tool to be more aware of your surroundings. And how is dreaming lucidly "escaping reality"? You have to sleep anyway. It's nature. Dreams are a part of sleep whether you participate or not.

Enjoying your dreams doesn't make you have dreams. It enhances the dreams you already have.

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Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

I say that if the only thing you're doing to get away from it all is LDing... well then where is the problem with that?

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What she said.

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Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

A lot of people try to escape from reality. I say that if the only thing you're doing to get away from it all is LDing... well then where is the problem with that? Now if you were doing drugs or getting wasted every night, then that would be a problem. I don't support escaping reality using any method, but if you're just doing it by lucid dreaming, then that's probably the least harmful method available. :)

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Very good point. ALOT of people in western societies try to escape from Reality: The Rush, the eternal haste, the nonstop mentally and physically exhausting prestation that is constantly demanded of you. It is not strange so many people want to get away from that.

However I'd rather see people Escape into the world of their Dreams consciously than that they expect drugs to relieve their stress/pain/anger..etc. I used to have a friend. He was kinda troubled in his relationship and started doing Cocaine. Now he's completely addicted, unwilling to admit that and he's become an ignorant, megalomaniac fool. He's out of his mind and has little friends now. Since he's also become quite an alcoholic. He has really come to relie on these substances to keep peace of mind.

Now Lucid Dreaming is also a way of "getting away" but at least it's a responsible way of doing so. Lucid Dreams can give an actual fulfillment that lasts. Drugs like Cocaine and alcohol only relieve the problem temporarily while on the long run making your mental and physical state deteriorate alot. My cocaine hooked frienmd isn't even a shadow of the person he once used to be. Also my Nightmares, especially from youth, were AWESOMELY disturbing and much more so than any Lucid Dreams. I would awake paranoid and scraed shitless sometimes, but seen that I stayed sane under the prerssure of so many very disturbing nightmares I don't see how Lucid Dreaming could put my Mind off-balance. In fact Lucidity is to learn to have more balance and control in your Mind.

No, Lucid Dreaming is a very responsible way of escaping the Rush of western society without damaging your body or mind. It's simply something that can give alot of fullfillment simply because the experience is so wonderfull.
If you're having trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy/dreams so bad that it becomes problematic for you then I suggest finding some help. Loosing grip on reality is a bad, disturbing thing. I wouldn't say Lucid Dreaming is to blame though, in fact: Lucid Dreaming teaches you to distinguish Waking life from dreams. Such problems are usually related to psychosis/psychotic related disorders and extreme emotional confusion. Try to find the sources of stress/negative emotions and specifically confusion outside Lucid Dreaming. You may find the causes of your confusion and apply lucid dreaming to actually confront and be free of this suffering.


Dreaming has no consequences, except maybe for waking you up in Joy, sadness or in panic. Drinking or snorting your problems away will, needless to say, have very negative consequences on you.

There is absolutely no correlation between lucid dreaming and depression. Depression, unless it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, is caused entirely by the individual. I know that some of you would say that that's bull, that no one chooses to be depressed, but I beg to differ. You mental state of being is the result of the images and the self-talk that occurs within the individual.

Yes it may be triggered by an unfortunate external event such as death of a close one or loss of some kind, but the eventual state of mind is entirely controlled by the individual. Let's take for example two people who have just suffered the loss of a parent. A tragic event that could easily cause depression. Person A choose to focus his mind on the positive, on the joy that they experience with the lost parent, on the good memories that they have. They choose to focus on going on with their life. This person will not experience depression. Person B allows the event to turn their focus to negative thoughts of loss and death. They focus on pain and unhapiness. Soon their thoughts degenerate to other unhappy thoughts and depression sets in until that person is able to change their state of mind and start focusing on life going on.

I talk about this with experience since in the past I have been diagnosed clinically depressed and medicated and have had bouts of depression in my life. It wasn't until I started to examine the images I held in my consciousness that I realized that I was causing it to happen. It wasn't until I change my focus that I was able to erradicate depression from my life for ever. It has now been many years since that time and never have I felt the slightess feeling of depression.

If you tell yourself that LDing will cause depression, then beware because in your experience it will. The mind is a powerful thing and listen very closely to what you tell it to experience. We are all the creators of our own universe.

Focus you thoughts on being healthy and whole. Focus on hapiness and joy. Tell yourself that lucid dreaming will bring unimaginable pleasures in your life...and it will.

That's my peace

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

Kid-Lucid's post made me uneasy about lucid dreams so I looked around and it seems that lucid dreaming can sometimes be harmful for a person. One of the problems was depression and using lucid dreaming; this quote especially unsettles me
I know that i am seeing the beginnings of clinical depression in my own life and cant help but look at why im trying to lucid dream and im starting to think that maybe this isnt such a good idea

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The only relation between lucid dreaming and depression that I would see is that if a person tries really hard to have a lucid dream and is unsuccessful, that can be depressing.

Since lucid dreams, by their very nature, allow a person to control their own mind, and their own destiny, and virtually be the captain of their own ship, I feel that lucid dreams would be very therapudic and of great value to anyone suffering depression.

Not only would they be able to control their own mind and future, but they would also be able to escape whatever happened to be depressing them at the moment and enjoy themselves while in their dream world, which would be very therapudic for them.:)

Alright, i think some of you are missing the point of what im saying. Im not saying in anyway that lucid dreams are the cause of depression or that lucid dreams are harmful or that questioning reality is a bad thing. What im saying is, that for me at least, lucid dreams can become a form of escape and not in a healthy way. Lucid dreams allow you to create your own reality and its easy for me to retreat into that safety spot and ignore this reality and the hardships it presents. When your life is good then lucid dreams can suppliment that life and make it better; when your life is bad lucid dreams can help you ignore the other reality. I know theres a "waking life" and a "sleeping life" and that the two dont intersect each other but when your waking life is shit sleeping longer, more often and just getting through the day to go to sleep seems a lot more tempting.

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

...I know theres a "waking life" and a "sleeping life" and that the two dont intersect each other but when your waking life is shit sleeping longer, more often and just getting through the day to go to sleep seems a lot more tempting.

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But there's a difference between enjoying dreams and being too lazy to get up and face the day. Not to be harsh but, it's just sounds like an excuse to me.

And besides, there's plenty of people who don't know anything about lucid dreaming that are lazy and sleep their lives away.

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Originally Posted by DeeJayOz

I know that i am seeing the beginnings of clinical depression in my own life and cant help but look at why im trying to lucid dream and im starting to think that maybe this isnt such a good idea

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if anything, lucid dreaming can help with depression. I'm sure nothing bad is going to happen to you while you're lucid dreaming, after all, you're really just laying in your bed safe and sound while everything that happens in a lucid is all in your imagination.

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Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

I've heard people say that if they have a problem in life, they try to deal with it in lucid dreams and that gives them renewed confidence for dealing with things in waking life.

A lot of people try to escape from reality. I say that if the only thing you're doing to get away from it all is LDing... well then where is the problem with that? Now if you were doing drugs or getting wasted every night, then that would be a problem. I don't support escaping reality using any method, but if you're just doing it by lucid dreaming, then that's probably the least harmful method available. :)

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Yup I have to agree with Mes here ^_^.

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Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

I've heard people say that if they have a problem in life, they try to deal with it in lucid dreams and that gives them renewed confidence for dealing with things in waking life.

A lot of people try to escape from reality. I say that if the only thing you're doing to get away from it all is LDing... well then where is the problem with that? Now if you were doing drugs or getting wasted every night, then that would be a problem. I don't support escaping reality using any method, but if you're just doing it by lucid dreaming, then that's probably the least harmful method available. :)

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Excellent point Mes. Lucid dreaming sort of separates the champions from the losers, as those who are champions in life learn to deal with their problems in natural ways such as lucid dreaming or by getting high while meditating, while losers resort to doing things like drugs, or just ignoring the problems they might be having and feeling sorry for themselves.

Lucid dreaming and getting high from meditating provide the most useful method for anyone to deal with their problems in life, in addition to being good for a persons health and well being.

However, lucid dreams may not be for everyone, as not everyone has the heart of a champion that it takes to face their problems and deal with them through a natural means like lucid dreaming.

Well, most people wouldn't be affected by lucid dreaming, but if you have any kind of mental problem to start with (especially schitzophrinia [and pardon my bad spelling]) it might not be such a good idea. My dad's friend's daughter tried it, (she is schitzophrinic) and she couldn't tell dreams from reality. But I think for most people, it won't cause any problems. I don't think depression is related to lucid dreaming. Well, at least not directly. I mean, I guess it could be possible that in having lucid dreams, the world seemed so awesome and terriffic, that your real life started to look really bad.

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Originally Posted by weelilhazel

My dad's friend's daughter tried it, (she is schitzophrinic) and she couldn't tell dreams from reality.

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I've mentioned this elsewhere but I'll do so again:

If you can't tell dreams from reality then, by definition, you ARE NOT lucid dreaming.

LDing had nothing to do with your Dad's friend's daughter's confusion. Schizophrenia itself is the condition that makes its sufferers have trouble distinguishing external reality from internal reality.

If you have signs of depression, you should probably see a doctor about it. A doctor probably would tell you LDing is harmless, but dealing with depression by yourself is harmful. If LDs led you to this forum, and this forum caused you to talk about it, then it is a step forward. LDs give you something to look forward to, and hope is a good thing, just ask Andy Dufresne.

Thats my non-proffesional perspective on it.