How much would you say emotional states before bed will affect dream content? Possible VILD method

[cyanidebaby]

Hello, Before I state the nature of my intended VILD trial tonight, so as not to make incredibly stupid suggestions, I have a few questions which I'd really to clarify please: 1. Is it true (in practice) that dreams are ruled mostly by emotion? 2. Would you say that strong (yet controlled) emotions generally hamper lucid attempts? 3. What's your opinion on the effect of the Melatonin/Serotonin cycle on lucidity/dreaming in general? Please don't feel you have to answer all the questions. I would just like as many opinions as possible, however short, so I might judge the theoretical efficiency of the technique before I try it and post it here. Thanks.

[Arra]

I don't know the answers to any of those questions. But I find that in general, the emotions I experience throughout the day tend to have an effect on my emotions in my dreams. Experiencing those emotions right before bed don't seem to have an effect on whether I'll dream about them. It's possible that my first dreams of the night, which I usually don't remember, do highlight those emotions. But in general it seems my dreams are based more on my emotions throughout the entire day, taken as a whole, or the last few days.

[NrElAx]

I can't ansnwer the queations either. But I woke up before from a bad dream and then used vild and I was freaked out in my lucid dream because all I could think about was something scary happening. So I kept waking myself up in the lucids. So have happy thoughts.

[cyanidebaby]

Thanks for all your replies so far. A lot of my dreams come about due to my feelings throughout the day too, so I'm wondering whether it might be possible to channel them successfully.

[Freddie]

I read before bed and I find what I'm reading will influence my dreams. I don't actively try to force emotions or ideas into my dreams but I find I have a good idea what will show up in my dreams from what I've been doing or reading.