Coconut Oil...?

So I'm new to DV, but this a place that I've come to many times over the years to learn about how to LD, and to learn new things about sleep.

I've rarely actually had an LD, and I've always attributed that to the fact that I haven't focused on making it happen for long periods of time. At the beginning of this year I decided that a more passive approach would help me to naturally have LDs, I started keeping a dream journal. I noticed that whether I would remember my dreams or not, was dependant on whether or I was thinking about dreams or lucid dreaming during the day, In January I wrote down 7 dreams, but stopped thinking about it, and therefore didn't remember/write down any dreams in February. In March I began a new system where I would write in my dream journal whether I remembered my dreams or not, in order to create the habit of trying to remember them every morning (if I didn't remember them, I'd just write: I don't remember my dreams from last night). I only remembered 4 dreams in March, but the new system helped me remember 13 dreams in April. But even though I was remembering more dreams, I didn't remember as much detail as the ones in January/March.

In May, I started remembering multiple dreams from the night before, so it was a deeper level, but still nothing was consistent until May 20th. I had 5 dream entries from May 1st to 20th. At this time I started researching health and nutrition, One of the primary foods I kept hearing about was coconut oil, so when I saw it on sale at a grocery store, I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about. Since then, I've been able to wake up early in the morning (something I've been terrible at for the last 8 years), and actually feel energized. Not only that, but I could remember what I'd dreamt that night. For the first week, I didn't connect the dots; I had implemented a few different changes in my lifestyle, and my mindset, so I didn't attribute the changes in sleep to any specific change in my life.

After about a week of this new energy and memory, I woke up late one morning with no memory of my dreams. I had been working hard, was very stressed, and had gone to sleep late the night before, so I assumed that was why; but then I remembered that I hadn't eaten any coconut oil in the last two days. I decided to try an experiment to see if the coconut oil was actually affecting my sleep. That day was just as busy and stressful as the days before, and I didn't even get home until 2:00 am. I was so tired that I didn't even feel like putting the coconut oil on somethign like bread, I just ate a small spoonful straight. The next morning, I woke up at 6:45 am, ready to start the day by writing my dream in my journal.

I have 13 dream entries since May 20th, including the day itself. Not only that, I've also realized that I was dreaming 3 times in these past 2 1/2 weeks (I either woke up, or don't remember what happened next so I don't consider them LDs). This is amazing for me, considering that I've only had 2 LDs in my life, and both of them were during a period where I was constantly thinking about/researching sleep and dreaming.

That's my story.



The rest of this post is for people who want to help me prove/disprove that it was because of coconut oil, or try to attribute it to something else. If you don't care about the details, skip this section.

My roommate's first thought was that it was placebo, but I disagree because even though I'd been researching the effects of coconut oil, I don't remember anything pertaining to sleep; the only thing related to it was short-term elevated energy levels (like drinking coffee).

Earlier in May, I also realized that I was no longer attempting things that were outside my comfort zone; this was shocking to me as I always preach the importance of doing new things and being spontaneous. So I have been actively doing new things, such as walking 4 miles to eat dinner instead of driving, finding new social groups and engaging with them, going on a hike instead of watching a movie, etc. I also started cultivating my relationships with my family.

I've been taking yoga classes for about 6 months, and have been trying to increase awareness and presence. The only recent changes were that I realized that there are nany parts of my body that I pay no attention to; and most likely no one else does (who ever thinks about how their quads or even their neck are feeling during the day unless they're sore?). I also realized that I tend to disengage/run away from situations that are uncomfortable, so I've been working to stay in the moment and feel my feelings. This has resulted in more intense feelings of joy/excitement, as well and more anger and frustration in my attempts to stay centered while feeling these emotions.

The main reason that I bought coconut oil in the first place was because I was researching health and nutrition. I finally bought a water bottle at the beginning of May and therefore have finally been drinking the amount of water each day that I should be (and maybe a little more). I've been drinking between 90 and 120+ ounces of water every day throughout the day. Before May I was probably drinking about 40 ounces/day. Right around the time I started eating coconut oil, I also was reading Tim Ferriss's book The 4-Hour Body. This book includes tons of information on exercise, nutrition, diet, and a little on sleep. Because of the book I started eating 5 brazil nuts and 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, (half each morning and night) although this didn't start until about May 25th. I also started taking a cold shower (as opposed to a hot one) every other day since that same time.

Thanks,

PS. I apologize if I have misplaced this post, even though I have frequented this forum often, I usually focus on a specific topic or two, rather than exploring the whole forum.

I have no idea if it is the coconut oil or not. But I do know that coconut oil is amazing stuff, and really good to eat. Since it improves your physical health, and your mind is dependent upon the physical body upon which it is mounted, it certainly makes sense that if you improve your health, your mind will function better to some degree. Memory seems to depend on the mind functioning well. I certainly wouldn't give up the coconut oil.

I eat the stuff straight by the spoonful, it's delicious. Although, even more delicious is coconut butter (a.k.a. coconut mana). If you've never tried that, holy crap you're in for a treat. It's like the essence of coconut milk. I also eat it straight out of the jar. Primarily I started eating it for health, before I knew how tasty it was.

PS. I don't think I've came across any threads about coconut oil ever. Not sure if this might fit better in the "sleep and health" section or not. Just thinking about who would see it, and who would have more experience to comment on it.

What is your question about coconut oil? If it's good for dreaming or lucid dreaming? Or just general health? I'll move your post based on your reply.

My question is whether or not people on this forum think that my experiences are due to the coconut oil, or maybe something else. I'm also wondering if anyone has had similar experiences with coconut oil or anything else. I know that it's good for general health, but don't know if it affects dreaming and lucid dreaming as well.

Does that answer your question?

Coconut oil has MCT's ( medium chain triglycerides) which helps with a lot of bodily functions especially helping the brain. Experiential reports online tell us that it has a marked effect on dreaming. Google search "MCT and dreaming" to get started

Hey Jaggedsblade

and ( Schmaven, gab, JPdreamlord)

I just put

MCT enhances dreaming

Into my Google search bar and found an article dated 23rd of September this year, (12 days ago). It's happening here in Adelaide. Wow. Its not about Coconut oil but I'll keep Googling.

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Impact of vitamins on dream recall studied by University of Adelaide experts - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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Here it is

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Impact of vitamins on dream recall studied by University of Adelaide experts

By*Rebecca Opie

Updated*23 Sep 2015, 5:37pm

MAP:*Adelaide University 5005

A national study into whether vitamin B has the power to make dreams more vivid, colourful and emotionally compelling is being carried out by experts at the University of Adelaide.

Psychology student Denholm Aspy is looking for 150 people from around Australia to take part in the study which runs for 10 days and involves taking various types of B vitamins.

Study participants will be provided with capsules containing vitamin B6, a vitamin B-Complex with numerous B vitamins or a placebo.

During the trial, participants will take two capsules before bed on the last five days and fill out a questionnaire in the morning, rating their dreams and sleep quality.

Mr Aspy said previous research in the field indicated a connection between vitamin B6 and enhanced dreams, but only analysed results from 12 participants.

"My study will be the first to compare the effects of vitamin B6 with other B vitamins in a large and diverse group of people," he said.

The study adds to other research Mr Aspy is undertaking into lucid dreaming, which is where people are aware they are dreaming while they are dreaming and in some cases, can control what is happening.

PHOTO:*University of Adelaide psychology student Denholm Aspy is running the study.(ABC News: Rebecca Opie)

Mr Apsy said B vitamins could help people remember their dreams in more detail.

He said improved dream recall could lead to lucid dreaming, which can have a range of health benefits.

"It may be possible to use lucid dreaming for overcoming nightmares, treating phobia, creative problem solving, refining motor skills and even helping people with rehabilitation from physical trauma," he said.

"Nightmares is one of the key aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder so being able to control nightmares and use lucid dreams to change the nightmare this could be very helpful for sufferers of PTSD."

Mr Aspy said research had yet to define why some people can remember their dreams in more detail than others.

"Dietary factors, genetic factors, there are many different things that can influence dreaming," he said.

"Some people seem to be more restless in the night so they wake up more often and that makes it easier for people to recall dreams."

Laura Ruggles, 30, was one of the first participants to volunteer to take part in the study.

She said she was interested in the possibility of making her dreams more vivid.

"I'm also interested in the kinds of therapeutic applications and also I guess the recreational applications of his research," she said.

"If we can actually end up more reliably being able to induce lucid dreams ... then that can only be a good thing."

Topics:*sleep,*health,*medical-research,adelaide-university-5005,*adelaide-5000,*sa

First posted*23 Sep 2015, 2:53pm

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I had a spoonful of coconut oil before going to bed after getting the idea from this post and had an extremely long lucid dream that night. Maybe placebo or maybe there's something to this coconut oil thing.

I'm going to buy some coconut oil today when I go to the store. They sell organic virgin coconut oil that can be used for frying, baking, smoothies, or can be eaten straight out of the jar. I'm willing to try it, especially since it has health benefits. If it also helps with dreaming I will let you know. I'm really curious if this can help. I also read that it is beneficial to take right before bedtime. I'll keep you posted on how well it works for me.

I'm guessing it also helps to just eat anything fatty right before bed, so it's less likely you'll wake up hungry. Sleeping more deeply probably helps make dreams more lucid, or at least more likely.

So I bought some virgin organic coconut oil and last night I ate 4 tablespoons before getting into bed. A few minutes later I started feeling quite ill. I felt like I was going to throw up. But about 20 minutes later I fell asleep. I woke up in the middle of the night with pretty good dream recall, which I typically have. I wrote down my dreams and went right back to sleep. Here's the difference I experienced. I've always had the problem of getting back to sleep after waking up to write my dreams. Especially if it's a long dream with a lot of writing. This problem has also gotten in the way whenever I try WBTB. I woke up twice last night and had no problem falling back to sleep. I definitely feel like I slept deeper than usual and I felt well rested this morning. That's a big improvement for me. I'm going to spend the next few nights experimenting with the right amount to take before bedtime. Hopefully I can use an amount that won't make me feel sick but still provides a benefit.

4 tablespoons sounds like quite a lot to eat all by itself. I've tried drinking a cup of olive oil before since I read about the health benefits, and that also made me feel very sick, although if I use the same amount to cook a full meal then I don't get that sick feeling. I have been eating about 1 spoonful of coconut oil before bed and it definitely makes me less hungry throughout the night but I'm not sure of its effects on my dreaming yet. I seem to have less trouble falling back to sleep though. I'm also trying sunflower seeds before bed since they have lots of vitamin B6 and also fat which is supposed to help sleep.

To anyone who has never tried coconut oil and is going to eat it all by itself, I'd recommend starting with a small amount like a small spoonful.