What exactly is rubbing hands supposed to do?

[kungfurabbits]

I know the purpose is to keep the dream going or check for lucidity but what should you notice when rubbing them?

[ModestMouse]

Things will get more vivid and sharp.

[wombing]

well, rub them right now... optimally, it will feel like that, and your visual/auditory clarity should increase..

[Asclepius]

rubbing hands can be used when the visual imagery in a LD starts to fade which leads to waking up. The times I've tried it resulted in False Awakenings. So when I use it now, I tell myself "I'm dreaming". The results of rubbing hands may depend on when you do it. If you are lucid and the dream is not fading, there are other ways to increase the intensity of the dream. You can touch something or taste something.

[Ubik]

Originally posted by kungfurabbits I know the purpose is to keep the dream going or check for lucidity but what should you notice when rubbing them? This is what I notice... At first when I rub my hands they feel quite tingly and warm. As I continue to rub them the sensation becomes more realistic until it feels like I'm just rubbing my hands in waking life. I personally notice that as the sensation of rubbing my hands becomes more realistic so do my surroundings. I also concentrate on an object while rubbing my hands. For example, Last night I became lucid ands didn't have much control, I began rubbing my hands while shouting "I'm dreaming. I need more control" I saw a house in front of me and stared at it. As my hands began to feel real the detail in the house improved. I then had full control.