How to cause a nightmare

[UnknownTBeast]

Most of you might think I am nuts for asking how to cause a nightmare, but there is a good reason for it. For as long as I remember, the 20 seconds before a nightmare starts, I am lucid. Now I haven't had a nightmare (that I remember) for ages, but if there is a way to cause a nightmare, please let me know so I can continue to my second step. 2 Step: For the 20 seconds before a nightmare, I am traveling down a long, carpeted on the walls, floor and ceiling, hallway. Starting from the bottom right, I start to fly towards the top left until I am at the end, and then the nightmare starts, and I lose my lucidity. The question is, is there a way that I can control this, as to not reach the point of getting to the nightmare? Any help would be grand!

[Unelias]

That's actually a quite odd concept for me, since I haven't had nightmares for over decade now. But I think the best way is to use the very same self-hypnosis you use to invoke LDs. Don't know if it is harder to invoke a nightmare since usually its something your mind doesn't want to experience in the first place, so it might resist a bit. Still I think the best way is to train normal lucid dreams instead of trying to call for a nightmare but at least you could try to repeat in your mind that you will have a nightmare or visualize what kind of dream it would be.

[UnknownTBeast]

To be honest, I haven't been here in a while and I am just now getting back in to a normal sleep pattern. I've never actually attained lucidity, I've tried those audio files to listen to before you sleep, but they didn't work. I've tried the one were you try to have your body fall asleep but your mind awake. Haven't even seen what I thought I could use as a dream sign in months. This is why I want to try the nightmare trick. I won't actually get to the nightmare if I can manage to control the lucidity before it starts.

[TheLight]

Don't personally know how true that is, but since it's on wikipedia.. Nightmares can have physical causes such as sleeping in an uncomfortable or awkward position, or having a fever; and psychological causes, such as stress and anxiety. Eating before bed, which triggers an increase in the body's metabolism and brain activity, is a potential stimulus for nightmares.

[JordanRHughes]

I wonder if cheese cause them???? Old wives tale...?

[Bubble]

Try bundling yourself up and/or covering yourself with a lot of blankets so that you're too warm when you're asleep. I've noticed that for some reason I tend to have nightmares when I'm too hot. In those 20 seconds of lucidity, try stabilizing yourself and then spinning and changing the scene. That might prevent the nightmare from occurring.

[ChrissyMaria]

I think the best way to have nightmares is to be stressed out or worried about something before bed. I wish I could not have nightmares, the majority of my dreams are terrifying.... Good luck though!