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I'm new to the forum and am excited reading the various dream stories people are telling.
When I was young early teens or less) I would naturally lucid dream fairly frequently, and have now decided (in my 30s) to hone this skill. Saying that, I lucid dream a lot less frequently than I did as a child.
My fear is that I've missed out on m 'prime' dreaming ages and wondered if anyone knew if lucid dreams, or dreams in general, reduce with age?
I have heard lucid dreaming does get harder with age. That said I think your 30s are still your prime and I’m sure you’ll do just fine! I wish I had started in my teens but I didn’t have the patience nor the discipline I needed back then. So in some ways maybe starting later can be good thing.
You're right at least mental discipline will be better, I hope your journey is going well :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiktaalik
Thanks. Only been practicing for just over a year but it’s been a fascinating journey. This is a great forum and I’m sure you’ll feel right at home here :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by sotondoc
Yes, age does make it harder. Your brain ages, just like your body, and as it does, you will have less of the biological factors that can help with lucidity.
HOWEVER, you can still be an amazing lucid dreamer should you practice consistently. The skills that you need to build are in your hands, not time's hands.
ALSO, you can help yourself out by eating a diet rich in antioxidants that will help reduce oxidative stress in your brain, essentially slowing the brain's aging process. Some good foods/herbs for the brain are:
Wild Blueberries (1-2 cups a day)
Ashwagandha (scientific studies support it as a natural nootropic)
Green tea (LOTS of science supports this one, caffeine + L-theanine are synergistic and amazing for your brain)
Turmeric / Curcumin (science supports, use a supplement or consume with black pepper)
Apigenin (found in chamomile or parsley, I use chamomile nightly, scientific studies are emerging)
Pomegranate juice (in moderation, science is emerging)
Fatty fish w/ omega 3's (sardines are like the best food in the world as far as nutrition goes, if you ask me. Careful with larger fish as they have more mercury)
English Walnuts (omega 3's)
Eggs (choline)
Lion's Mane mushroom
Lastly, physical exercise on a regular basis will help keep your brain fit and young, as will regularly doing mentally challenging activities (games ;) ).
Good luck :)
Im 70 and have been lucid dreaming all my life.
IMO and experience yes it does get a bit harder after childhood.
My theory is that this is not a cognitive issue, (ie reduced brain function) but a practical one.
As a child I probably got too much sleep each night so that, by morning, I was half awake, and thus conscious of dreaming.
I used this to learn to lucid dream as a very young child First memories from age 3 or 4 and to control then construct my dreamscapes before I was a teenager
It was the one part of my life where I had complete control of my environment.
As an older teenager and young adult I began to take control of my waking life
I also slept a lot less
Thus, while i never lost the abilty, I didn't use it as much. I could have all the fun and adventure I wanted, in my waking life.
I am always conscious and aware when I dream but often I let the story line flow, like a good book or movie, rather than taking control of it Ie its fun to observe what your subconscious mind will create, rather than consciously shaping a dream
But here is the interesting/ relevant bit
As a retired senior I don't have to get up so early, and my waking life is not so challenging and filled.
I've found that I am rebuilding the use of controlled lucid dreaming for entertainment.
Everything from sexual fantasies fulfilled, to world travel, or just interesting narrative dreams, where i am a character in a narrative i have constructed and written.