Alchohol

[Zelimos]

How does alchohol effect dreaming, and does it lower the chance of lucid dreaming?

[Seeker]

Alcohol works on dreaming in a number of ways. First off, it supresses REM. This might sound pretty bad at first, however, the brain being as flexible as it is will experience a REM rebound in the morning in which it will have a higher than normal amount of time spent in REM sleep. Most lucid dreamers report that although they have much more vivid dreams after using alcohol, they are rarely lucid. This has been my personal experience as well.

[David Ames]

Originally posted by Seeker Most lucid dreamers report that although they have much more vivid dreams after using alcohol, they are rarely lucid. This has been my personal experience as well. I guess I'm an exception. Red wine at dinner helps me relax and experience more vivid dreams AND more vivid LDs. My best LD experience happened to be after drinking red wine before bed.

[Howie]

Everything in moderation!

[dearly]

I personally find that alcohol consumption (how much is unknown) greatly increases the likelihood of having lucid dreams in the morning nap hours. D

[Ynot]

currently perfecting the Wake, hurl in the loo, back to bed technique

[DNK]

It always helped me to remember my dreams and to have more vivid and enjoyable dreams. I guess I could more easily fall into the dream reality and was more relaxed, therefore my mind was prepared for a better and more detailed dream experience. Also, the dreams tended to be more interesting, probably because my relaxation had opened me up more for less boring scenarios (unlike typical dreams which are many times just a repetition of my waking life or highly constrained by its reality).