Thread: Question about when you enter REM/experience dreams during the night?

Hey guys, I have few questions because I've heard a lot of conflicting information about it.

So, I know you mostly (only?) experience dreams while you are in REM sleep. And REM sleep only happens after 4-6 hours of sleep, or, during an afternoon nap. That's where I get confused. I've experienced this during naps my whole life, but the way a lot of people reference REM sleep is that it only happens after x amount of hours or at x time of day. Is REM sleep/the time you're able to perceive dreams really this 'established' or is it fluid/different for everyone?

I get that everyone's different but I'm just wondering so that I can practice lucid dreaming at the right time. Let's say that I get about 6-8 hours of sleep on a night. If I went to sleep within an hour of waking up, I'd probably classify that as a WBTB. Instead of that, were I not to do the WBTB, what point would be best to try a nap for lucid dreaming? I've heard a few different answers, 2 hours, 4 hours, no more than 6 hours, no more than 8 hours... Which is it? Again I know everyone's different but generally at least, is there a 'cutoff' for REM sleep?

What if I woke up at 7, went to work 8-4 and wanted to nap for a few hours, I'm usually tired after work. Having been up for 9-10 hours would it be feasible or even possible to dream?

Sorry for all the questions, just would like a clearer idea as to how I can continue