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StephL, what source/form of valerian and how much do you take? Both valerian and motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) are very commonly used where I live for their relaxing/sedative effects, and are very affordable. But I find that either one of them suppresses dreaming almost entirely for the night. I have not done any serious studies with dosage of either one, however. Valerian will not leave me so "hung over" if I take it in the middle of the night, unlike melatonin which will make me feel draggy for the following day if taken later than bedtime.
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Wow. I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread if, for no other reason than it directed me towards the Lucid Dreaming Fundamentals Q & A by Sageous.
DragonSword, it's hard for any one individual to know why one person takes longer than another to become adept at lucid dreaming. Considering you come from a family rich with lucid dreamers I can see how it must be particularly frustrating. I'd still call that a distinct advantage, though! It may be that there are real, physical reasons which are compromising your efforts, like your medication for insomnia, or the circumstances in your life that are producing the insomnia in the first place. You may have to wait for those aspects of your waking life to change to a more favorable circumstance before you experience LD success, or you may need to come off your medication (or both). Two things are clear. If others can do it, so can you. If you quit, you'll never reach your goal.
I've been trying (unsuccessfully) since March of this year, but there is no way I'm giving up. Just resolve to keep trying until you are satisfied with the results.
DH
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Yes the :sageous: Sageous :sageous: LD fundamental Q&A and the WILD class hold invaluable LD info -- summary: cultivate & develop the fundamentals! Read through those threads, it's well worth the time.
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You're not the first person to constantly try and come up short. Unfortunately, and I'll save you the trouble, no one can tell you why one person has many lucid dreams and another struggles to have one. But there are easier ways of getting your foot in the door.
You can try inductions like binaural beats or hypnosis. Failing that, if you don't mind spending money, buy a "lucid dreaming plant" as they're conveniently called. You'll find the official names shortly after searching for them. I hear they taste bad, but I also hear they give you vivid lucid dreams. If you all other methods just aren't working, one of these might help.
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Um - I have German Valerian capsules here - 600 mg forte - and I find that too forte for my taste - half a one puts me to sleep nicely.
But I have really no idea how it goes with LDing, because I don't use it at all, finding Melatonin more agreeable - even half of such a Valerian has me groggy in the morning.
Called Klosterfrau Nervenruh (nun's nerve-calm - nice name).
