Drugs that are helpful or harmful to dream recall

**LDreamer1122** · 03-30-2012 04:35 PM

So, i'd like to get some feedback from people who have used drugs or supplements to aid in their lucid dreaming. It doesn't matter if you meant to take it for that purpose or if you came across it by accident. I will share my experiences and I'd like to get a wide range of date back from you guys.

Unfortunatly i'm plagued by insomnia and anxiety so i'm pretty much forced to take Ambien and Ativan to get any sleep. For the most part i haven't noticed too much of an effect on my dreaming. Some say Ambien gives them strange dreams but i haven't found this to be true (my dreams are strange anyway) I also take benadryl, Melatonin and Valerian. Again, i haven't noticed too much of an impact on my dreams.

Strangely enough, i've found that if i take painkillers (I'm on percocet for severe back pain) It tends to make me very drowsey which is actually very helpful to me to be able to transfer from a waking state, right into a lucid dream, usually waking up in the dream in my own bed. I do my tests, then go about my business, usually leaping out the window. The only problem i've had with this is an increased number of sleep paralysis, but i've gotten used to it.

I tried to take 5HTP but i had to stop because it was upsetting my stomach so badly. I would like to give it a go again, but take it with food next time.

By far, the thing that has had the biggest effect on my dreaming is Lexapro (an anti-depressant) It takes about 2 weeks to kick in, but the dreams are WILDLY vivid, and i found it very easy to get into a lucid state and direct the dream into the direction i wanted. I've also heard that people who take Chantix for smoking have similar reactions. (I don't smoke so i wouldn't know) but my mom has said she had odd dreams. Unfortunately i had to stop taking the Lexapro because it was killing my appetite and making me super anxious (ironic, i know)

Lastly, something i haven't tried but have been very interested in: African dream root. I looked into it but i'm not really too sure about the safety of it. There doesn't seem to be much moderation on it and i'm not certain of a reputable place to get it. If ANYONE has experience with this or knows where to get some that is good quality please share your information, the good and the bad.

So what have you guys tried? What were their effects (good and bad) and anything else you'd like to share? Thanks for your time!

NOTICE: Before anyone says anything about taking all of these drugs, i HAVE cleared it with my doctor, he knows what i'm taking, and everything I've listed I've gotten through completely legal means. I've researched possible side effects, and discontinue them if they had adverse effects on my health. This isn't a thread to debate if using prescription drugs or supplements is moral, etc.

**madvorak** · 03-30-2012 05:15 PM

You must have hard life :/.
Melatonin and 5-HTP are considered to be helpful, because they cause REM rebound and don't affect your brain in a negative way. However they probably kill dream recall together with REM sleep in very big doses. I read that other sleep pills have negative effects (not only on dream recall), but I don't know any specific details. It seems you know much more about it then we (or at least I) do.
I am going to buy 5-HTP. I hope it won't have the same effects on my stomach.
Other substances that are considered to boost dream recall (and help with lucid dreaming) are B vitamins (5, 6, 12), Choline and Galantamine, see http://www.dreamviews.com/f44/supple...ository-56235/ .

**OpheliaBlue** · 03-30-2012 08:13 PM

I love 5-HTP. I've been taking it for a few weeks now, mainly because I was having trouble falling back to sleep if I woke up in the night. The increased recall, and increased LD frequency is just a lucky bonus. However, I don't take it every single night. And I don't take any other medications except for a multivitamin in the morning, so I never experienced an upset stomach from it like you said. Since you have to take all those prescription medications, I guess you're just going to have to keep experimenting until you find a combination that works for you. I hope you can try the 5-htp again, I really like it and I hear it's better than melatonin (not sure if that's true or not).

Also, you mention the anti-depressant. I remember being on prozac in high school and I got the really wild crazy vivid dreams too. I don't know anything about African Dream Root, but DrTechnical did a 7 day experiment on it. Sounded promising: http://www.dreamviews.com/f44/african-dream-root-35422/

**Suck4Luck** · 03-30-2012 11:50 PM

I woudnt take any drugs

**twaizois** · 03-30-2012 11:58 PM

some drugs help but at the end of the day it depends on your mentality and how you use em

**LDreamer1122** · 03-31-2012 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by madvorak

You must have hard life :/.

Naaah, i'm quite happy, and my pain is under control so i can do most things, and i'm able to sleep, and have some pretty awesome dreams with varying lucidity and what else can you ask for?