Thread: How to explain that lucid dreaming is not dangerous?...

step 1: don't talk to an idiot

Originally Posted by That

step 1: don't talk to an idiot

don't talk to a close minded* idiot

Originally Posted by Bboy500

his argument is that:
1. It is not natural thus it is unhealthy as you are not supposed to be awake while dreaming. You are not supposed to control your dreams

Some random clips of his convo:

Friend 11:58 pm
and even with reality checks there are concequences with things you do
and messing with your brain is not a good one

Friend 11:58 pm
you should let it do what it has to do
and not mess with it
when you start messing with it
Friend 11:58 pm
you can screw it up
Friend 11:58 pm
when you lucid dream you are artificially making yourself do it and when you do you are imagining which is fine but like you said it will be so real there will be times that you will lose reality
Friend 11:56 pm
your creating it
or making it
making it artificial
and that is whats not good for your brain

Reply: [Citation Needed]

One of my favourite sayings in life - often applies:

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.

We don't even know why we dream - we only have theories. So we can only know if people become "screwed up" by talking to those who try it first-hand - and I'm pretty sure the people here aren't screwed up.

Besides, only a small portion of one's dreams are lucid - with the possible exception of Naiya, of course - so even if dreams are supposed to go their natural way, we still have many that do.

Tell him to google "Is lucid dreaming dangerous?" and to read through all the links. After he looks at a few articles, he should realize he is wrong.

Actually, lucid dreams IS naturally. Around 50% of the population gets at least 1 lucid dream during their lives (without knowing anything about lucid dreaming) the only thing a lucid dreamer does, is increasing this number

The only difference is that you have realized that its a dream. Same thing as if you thought youre a teacup in the dream.

You do not actually becomr more aware i think. Its just the single thought of being in a dream, so you base ur actions and thoughts on that instead of the idea of being a teacup. Not sure though.

^Depends on the level of awareness in the dream though. Not all are the same.

Though you propably shouldnt try to get your friend believe sp is not harmful. He would see demons and say you tried to give his soul to the devil or something.

Number one: it is impossible to "loose your reality"
Number two: I am pretty sure that your friend is getting his ideas from inception. Which is not a good source for the truth on lucid dreaming.
Number three: is being an awesome swimmer dangerous? Because it isn't (by his definition) natural.
Number four: I have had 150 lucid dreams and I'm not any more crazy then I used to be.

when you lucid dream you are artificially making yourself do it and when you do you are imagining which is fine but like you said it will be so real there will be times that you will lose reality

That has never happened to anybody. Tell him to stop watching inception.

you should let it do what it has to do

Some people believe that you shouldn't fondle around too much with your dreams. Robert Moss, the author of Concious Dreaming, addresses this issue. Lucidity does not equal not letting your dreams do whatever they want to. Even if you're lucid, you're free to let the dream take you whereever it wants to. I also doubt your friend is in position to make such a statement, seeing as he seems to know quite little about dreaming in general.

making it artificial
and that is whats not good for your brain

What's his source for this? Lucid dreaming serves as a great source of creativity, if anything!

and even with reality checks there are concequences with things you do

What concequences? Improved awareness is only positive to your waking life as well.

It seems that your friend is a little unknowledgable on the subject. Tell him to read "Exploring the world of lucid dreaming" By Stephen LaBerge. That should clear things up.

"3. Scientists never found anything dangerous about this."

I love dem scientists.

None in particular.

Just scientists in general.

Originally Posted by Origami

"3. Scientists never found anything dangerous about this."

I love dem scientists.

None in particular.

Just scientists in general.

Well i never found any scientific info on how this would be dangerous... thus #3.

Edit: Also thanks for the replies sent him the link

If you think about it we ALWAYS control our dreams, even the non lucid ones. "Control" is too strong a word, though. I think "influence" is more appropriate. I'll use a common nightmare scenario:

"You're walking alone down a dark street. You feel vulnerable. You worry some one may be following you. Now you hear footsteps behind you. You start running and worry some one is chasing you. Now you hear footsteps running behind you. You duck into a nearby house and hide in a closet. You feel a sense of relief, but then start worrying you'll still be found. Just then the closet door swings open..."

Your thoughts within the dream are what caused each development. You controlled it. The only difference between this ordinary dream and a lucid is that in the lucid you realize you're controlling it.

While I disagree Lucid Dreaming I've heard has been linked to insomnia. Though that really isn't dangerous.

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

While I disagree Lucid Dreaming I've heard has been linked to insomnia. Though that really isn't dangerous.

Source? Sounds highly unlikely to me.

I have a pretty legit solution.

Step 1: Kick your friend hard in the shin. Hard enough to leave a really nasty bruise. Wear boots, if you've got them.

Step 2: Explain that if this had happened in a lucid dream, he would not have to deal with the bruise he's bound to be sporting for a few days.

Step 3: Conclude reality is more harmful than LDing, and if he still believes in LDing's "supposed dangers" (that he has absolutely no evidence for), and isn't willing to try it, then it logically follows that his very next action be to check out of reality altogether.

There are no flaws to this argument. None at all.

Give it a try.

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

While I disagree Lucid Dreaming I've heard has been linked to insomnia. Though that really isn't dangerous.

I can see how lucid dreaming could be a result of insomnia, but lucid dreaming is certainly not a cause. If you've read otherwise, then please, as XeL said, provide sources...or clarify your statement.

Just tell him that lucid dreaming doesn't affect your brain chemicals or your sleep patterns. People have been doing it for years and have had no ill effects.
Monks and those guys even do it in meditations.

If it was dangerous, someone would have had proof by now.

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

I have a pretty legit solution.

Step 1: Kick your friend hard in the shin. Hard enough to leave a really nasty bruise. Wear boots, if you've got them.

Step 2: Explain that if this had happened in a lucid dream, he would not have to deal with the bruise he's bound to be sporting for a few days.

Step 3: Conclude reality is more harmful than LDing, and if he still believes in LDing's "supposed dangers" (that he has absolutely no evidence for), and isn't willing to try it, then it logically follows that his very next action be to check out of reality altogether.

There are no flaws to this argument. None at all.

Give it a try.

You sir, are win.

Why don't you ask him about the dangers of not becoming aware of a naturally occurring experience which goes unnoticed to most people because they live their lives like zombies tied to unproved beliefs and busy with lots of useless and harmful activities for a healthy brain. Is modern life making humans lose a natural ability?

Originally Posted by XeL

Source? Sounds highly unlikely to me.

If i remember correctly it was from a informative video about Lucid Dreaming on youtube I saw few months. I'll go looking around to see if I can find it again.

Originally Posted by nina

I can see how lucid dreaming could be a result of insomnia, but lucid dreaming is certainly not a cause. If you've read otherwise, then please, as XeL said, provide sources...or clarify your statement.

How can it be a result whilst not a cause?

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

How can it be a result whilst not a cause?

*facepalm*

Do you really need this explained to you? I mean, really?