Dream Journaling: Inherently Therapeutic?

**foamdriver** · 02-08-2011 03:48 PM

I’m new here so sorry if I’m asking dumb questions.

I’m doing some research on a personal hypothesis/theory; that dream journaling reduces stress/anxiety/depression. Has anyone here heard of such a theory being discussed or researched or established? Has anyone here noticed any such improvement in their psychological well-being after writing their dreams down for a time?

The basis of my theory actually has two parts. The first is that dream journaling not only increases dream recall, but also increases the REM phase (quantity and quality). The second is that since REM is the natural mechanism for our biological & mental rebooting, then it follows that a natural increase in the phase would result in improved well-being.

Comments? Reports? Experiences? Feedback of any kind?

**Caradon** · 02-08-2011 04:46 PM

I have noticed that when I write dreams in my notebook that it can be calming. Especially if there was something bothering me before I started. Although, it's not the same typing them on the computer. However, typing is faster.

**foamdriver** · 02-10-2011 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Caradon

I have noticed that when I write dreams in my notebook that it can be calming. Especially if there was something bothering me before I started. Although, it's not the same typing them on the computer. However, typing is faster.

I’m talking more about the overall therapeutic effect of a DJ and less about the immediate effect of writing a dream. I would like to hear from people who started a DJ and noticed an overall therapeutic benefit to their daily lives (improved well-being). Did/do you?

Would a post like this be permitted in the DJ forum? Maybe it would be better read there.

**Caradon** · 02-10-2011 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by foamdriver

I’m talking more about the overall therapeutic effect of a DJ and less about the immediate effect of writing a dream. I would like to hear from people who started a DJ and noticed an overall therapeutic benefit to their daily lives (improved well-being). Did/do you?

Would a post like this be permitted in the DJ forum? Maybe it would be better read there.

I've kept a journal for a lot of years. To your question, the way it sounds, I would have to say no. The act of keeping a journal doesn't do anything. But if you are talking about the practice of inducing Lucid Dreams in general, I would say yes, very much so.

And also, to your other question, I would say no as well. keeping a journal doesn't do anything for the quality of dreams. All it does is improve recall because of putting enough conscious significance into wanting to remember dreams well enough to write them down in detail. And like Dianeva said, the dreams may seem to have a better quality if you can remember them more clearly. I guess I'm not even sure what you mean by a better quality dream lol. If you mean better quality recall, then yes.

**foamdriver** · 02-10-2011 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Caradon

I've kept a journal for a lot of years. To your question, the way it sounds, I would have to say no. The act of keeping a journal doesn't do anything. But if you are talking about the practice of inducing Lucid Dreams in general, I would say yes, very much so.

And also, to your other question, I would say no as well. keeping a journal doesn't do anything for the quality of dreams. All it does is improve recall because of putting enough conscious significance into wanting to remember dreams well enough to write them down in detail. The dreams may seem to have a better quality if you can remember them more clearly. I guess I'm not even sure what you mean by a better quality dream lol. If you mean better quality recall, then yes.

Thanks for your input. What I mean by “quality” is the degree of euphoria/dysphoria, or whether the dream is more pleasant or more nightmarish. For example, has your DJ reduced the occurrences or intensity of nightmares?

**Caradon** · 02-10-2011 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by foamdriver

Thanks for your input. What I mean by “quality” is the degree of euphoria/dysphoria, or whether the dream is more pleasant or more nightmarish. For example, has your DJ reduced the occurrences or intensity of nightmares?

Well, since I really enjoy intense nightmarish dreams I'm probably the wrong person to answer that question. But I can say that my dreams are not as frequently nightmarish as they were when I was a teenager. But I do still get some very wild intense shit sometimes. I wouldn't have it any other way. Especially if I get Lucid in the middle of it.

**Arra** · 02-09-2011 05:57 AM

Dream journaling of course boosts dream recall, we all know that. Does it boost dream quality as well? I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did. It seems to, but that might only be because we're remembering our dreams more and so they seem to be of better quality.

**foamdriver** · 02-10-2011 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Dianeva

Dream journaling of course boosts dream recall, we all know that. Does it boost dream quality as well? I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did. It seems to, but that might only be because we're remembering our dreams more and so they seem to be of better quality.

The theory behind REM, and REM rebound, could explain why a DJ would improve the quality of dreams. When the REM state is suppressed, as it is with most people (who consume caffeine, alcohol, don’t keep a DJ, etc), the rebound manifests as a reduction in dream quality. The improvement in quality seen with a DJ could be evidence that a DJ enhances REM and “catches up” any previous suppression/rebound.