Eureka!(?)

**Draoi** · 04-03-2008 08:12 PM

I just posted this on another thread. I liked it so much, I thought it deseved its own thread. I'm fairly certain that, finally, after 12 winters of experimentation, I've figured out a way to consistently induce lucid dreams. I'm going to tweek the variables over the coming months. I'll let everyone know if anything needs to be changed.

This is what I've had the most success with (8 LDs over the past week!):

A variation of the MILD/WILD technique.

1) Get up after 5 1/2 to 6 hrs of sleep.

2) Empty your bladder and do a reality test.

3) Drink a half cup of milk, take a B6, and then drink a cup of instant coffee.

4) Do another reality test.

5) Go back to bed.

6) Lay on your back and do whatever WILD visualization is most comfortable for you. Do it till you're in a lucid dream or until you're no longer comfortable. I've been using the "being dragged (forwards) across the sheets" visualization. I imagine myself being pulled by the ankles across the sheets, trying to feel the cloth rubbing against my back. This usually takes about 15 minutes.

7) If you're not there yet (I'm usually not), roll onto your side or belly and do this variation of the MILD technique:

a) Imagine yourself somewhere very well known to you but is also a natural dreamsign. (I imagine being in my old barn, which was destroyed by a windstorm several years ago.)

b) Imagine yourself walking from notable point to notable point within the building. (There are about 13 such points in my barn.)

c) At each point, imagine yourself noticing the dreamsign, realizing that you are dreaming and performing your pre-planned dream activity. (such as taking off into the air, or touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth.)

d) Before proceeding to the next point, say to yourself, "The next time I'm dreaming, I want to remember that I'm dreaming."

e) Continue until you cycle through the entire building or are asleep. This should take at least 20 minutes. It's ok to look at a clock the first time you do this to get a feel for the time. After that, don't. It may spoil the effect. If you're still not asleep after cycling through the building, just allow yourself to drift off while making an effort to hold onto your intention to become lucid, thinking of nothing else. The time you spent practicing the technique has already "burned" it into your unconscious mind.

Notes: The biggest problem I've had up until recently is falling asleep TOO SOON. You need to do the MILD technique with singleminded focus until your intention is "set" or you fall asleep. That's why I do the milk, B6, coffee thing. If I don't, I go through the technique fogbrained and usually fall asleep within 5 minutes. I rarely have a lucid dream when that happens, and even if I do, the quality usually isn't very good. You can play around with these variables to maximize the benefit, as ease of falling asleep is an individual thing. The important thing is to make sure you DO MILD FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES.

Doing the WILD technique on my back before doing MILD also helps me focus, making MILD easier to do, and the switching of techniques midstream/cycling through different points in the dream building holds my interest by avoiding repetition.

Also, after doing this technique, my awarenesss is so intense that it's a lot easier for me to reenter a dream lucidly if I happen to wake up prematurely.

**Vegan** · 04-03-2008 11:27 PM

Is there anything special about the milk? Can I substitute rice milk instead? Otherwise I'll definitely try that tonight.

**moe007** · 04-04-2008 01:06 AM

Milk for the tryptophan in it im assuming.
You can eat cheese as well, for the same effect.

But, this combination (b6+tryptophan) is used to boost serotonin levels, causing REM Rebound effect. You might want to take the b6 and milk BEFORE bed, so that you will have longer and vivid rem cycles in the morning hours.

**Shift** · 04-04-2008 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by Draoi

I've been using the "being dragged (forwards) across the sheets" visualization. I imagine myself being pulled by the ankles across the sheets, trying to feel the cloth rubbing against my back. This usually takes about 15 minutes.

I already have trouble falling asleep at night because I imagine this happening. I think all that would do is induce a panic attack

Can imagining any tactile sensation do the trick? I'd prefer to imagine doing something I want to do, rather than one of my worst nightmares

**lucidspace** · 04-04-2008 05:27 AM

I am having problems getting into a dream while "awake". I can get very relaxed, even to the point where I can't feel my body. Everything is numb and I've tested this by quickly trying to get up and walk. My arms and legs are rubber and can't support me.

Sometimes I even feel my body tingle, a rumble in my ears, and my face twitching.

It drives me crazy because I can quickly get to this point and sometimes I feel like I'm so close. I have tried several nights, some of them end when I get up at 6:00 AM after no sleep and no dreams.

Then I start my day tired and run down.

Any advice?

**DreamQueen** · 04-04-2008 09:48 AM

Brilliant, Draoi. Your description is very similar to what works for me. I've been meaning to write one myself but you've saved me the trouble. WILDing while lying on your back is good because if you get too comfy (eg on your side) you just fall into a peaceful sleep too soon.

**DreamQueen** · 04-04-2008 09:51 AM

lucidspace, try going to bed earlier so you have more time to WILD in the morning. It sounds like you are indeed very close but don't get up and "test" it or you'll ruin all your good work. Keep at it and suddenly it will happen for you. Just don't get too excited when it does or you'll wake up! If you do wake up immediately try and WILD again

**Draoi** · 04-05-2008 06:06 PM

I've been reading about tryptophan and B6 on this board. I'm not sure if it has that much of an effect on dreaming per se. I just know that caffeine is more effective if you have a natural source of simple sugars and B vitamins. I've read that B6 specifically helps maintain the nervous system. Also, I drink my coffee black, so drinking the milk first helps "pad" my stomach so I'm not distracted by stomach sensations. If you can stay alert and focused for 20+ minutes without any of this, by all means do so.

As far as the dragging sensation goes, like I said, I've got a few others to play around with. I just know that particular one is working at the moment. I've read a lot about the effectiveness of tactile imagery, but I suspect that the sensation of motion may have more to do with it. Imagining myself rocking in a rocking chair has also been effective in the past, I just haven't used it as part of this particular technique yet.

**Through the Looking Glass** · 04-05-2008 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by moe007

Milk for the tryptophan in it im assuming.
You can eat cheese as well, for the same effect.

But, this combination (b6+tryptophan) is used to boost serotonin levels, causing REM Rebound effect. You might want to take the b6 and milk BEFORE bed, so that you will have longer and vivid rem cycles in the morning hours.

He's cleary vegan which is why he doesn't want to drink milk. Since that's the case why would he be able to eat cheese? I mean his username is only Vegan. Does rice milk contain trytophan, btw wtf is rice milk do they squeeze rice until juice comes out of it and put it in a bottle. That sounds nasty but whatever, it's a personal choice I can't even stand the taste of soy milk. What alternatives are there for tryptophan?

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Eureka!(?)

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