Thread: Headaches when lucid dreaming?

I'm a very vivid and constant dreamer but it's just recently that I began to exercise lucid dreaming. But I've noticed that while lucid I get these headaches, pressures in my head when I do something like fly up to the stratosphere or running at the speed of a bullet. And while I get the headaches, in the dream I mean, maybe even out of the dream while sleeping, I become mentally exhausted. And the pressure increases when I will myself to do something or will something in the lucid dream to happen.

Today I had a lucid dream and someone on this board suggested a way to make your lucid dreams clearer by saying things such as "become more lucid" until things became clear. I did that today and as things became extremely clear I felt a headache wash over me like never before. Although, things did get clear and I could literally feel the carpet under my feet and the atmosphere in the lucid dream, It was as if I was actually awake, not like a dream at all.

Is this normal? The headaches and pressure forming on the head when I do things.

I'm no pro, but I've never experienced headaches in the 7-8 LD's I've had.

I have never experienced headaches in my lucid dreams either, despite the fact that I will often awaken with a headache, regardless of what kind of dreams I may have had that night.

But never, ever, during the dream.

I'm guessing this is something that you could overcome with practice and confidence, but maybe somebody else has more insight.

Originally posted by Prinxess
I'm a very vivid and constant dreamer but it's just recently that I began to exercise lucid dreaming. But I've noticed that while lucid I get these headaches, pressures in my head when I do something like fly up to the stratosphere or running at the speed of a bullet. And while I get the headaches, in the dream I mean, maybe even out of the dream while sleeping, I become mentally exhausted. And the pressure increases when I will myself to do something or will something in the lucid dream to happen.

Today I had a lucid dream and someone on this board suggested a way to make your lucid dreams clearer by saying things such as \"become more lucid\" until things became clear. I did that today and as things became extremely clear I felt a headache wash over me like never before. Although, things did get clear and I could literally feel the carpet under my feet and the atmosphere in the lucid dream, It was as if I was actually awake, not like a dream at all.

Is this normal? The headaches and pressure forming on the head when I do things.

I get that sometimes. I also get migraines too, so I believe that is why it happens to me. I do notice that is directly related to them.

I've always been curious about this as I've had the same experiences for years, so I did a google search and found something interesting (not to mention, this thread): There are a surprising number of people who experience headaches during and after lucid dreaming... and just as many folks who have never experienced this. My headaches almost always never occur after lucid dreaming UNLESS I wake up and try to force myself to go back into a lucid dreaming state. It works, but the side effect I have is a headache, sometimes like a piercing pain in my head. This happens about 80% of the time I try to go back into a lucid dreaming state, and always in the morning. I've noticed that it happens 100% of the time if I am fully rested, wake up naturally, and force myself to rest more (like on days when I don't work and sleep more than 8 hours). It also happens regularly if my alarm wakes me during a lucid dream, and I force myself back into it during the 15 minute snooze. The strangest part is, while dreaming, I am aware of the headache that my body is experiencing, although my dream self does not experience it. It's very strange to be out of body, yet still aware of the body.

I think what most interests me about this is that there are uncountable occurrences of headaches during/after lucid dreaming just using google, both in message boards and various question/answer sites, but I've yet to run across an accredited research result. For as often as people never experienced this, there are just as many folks who do, including myself. This is something that I've experienced my entire tenure as a lucid dreamer. After reading about this for the past two days I decided to go about a little research project to try and find some answers. If you've experienced this, please share any info you can, like the conditions in which you notice it happening the most, the times, any patterns, etc.

I'm always tired and get headaches after lucid. So why lucid? I do not have a choice.
I lucid without effort EVERY night. Different adventure stories every night.
My dreams all had a meaning to it that i must realise. Tiring..
Didn't felt like I've even slept at all at night. Finding ways to deal when and when not to lucid.

I had a headache during a lucid dream, and for a moment when I woke up.

I've never once had a headache in any of my lucids. A possible reason for them is that you're unfamiliar with the whole aspect of LDing, so your mind doesn't know how to react when you try and control your dream, or even when you just realize that you're asleep. They could also be caused by placebo... Maybe the first time you tried to do something in a lucid you got a headache, just randomly and out-of-the-blue, but then you assumed that would happen the next time you became lucid as well. Ignore any premonitions that you might feel pressure or headaches and see if that helps.

It's normal to experience sensations that briefly pass over from the dream to waking life, because we're still not fully out of sleep mode for a few instances. Since it was just in your dreams, I'd say it's nothing to worry about.

Even when this is not "beyond dreaming", I think the answer has to do with the energy body. When we have lucid dreams it does take more mental energy, then when we just dream on "autopilot". Most people have a hard time to keep their LD stable in the beginning, the LDs are short and little control. My first LD I could not see at all, but only feel my way. As the skills develop, the energy body has also time to develop and grow stronger. It would appear, that some people are able to over strain their dream body (part of energy body) while lucid dreaming.

And for those having hard time with thinking about the energy body. The activity of lucid dreaming will cause a higher blood flow and activity in some areas of the brains that are not used to such. That is then experienced as headache.

I would suggest to try doing something like Chi Gong to allow the energy body to become stronger. Also some basic energy work might be a good idea. Overdoing energy work can also lead to headaches.
Also it might help to go more with the flow of the LD for a while. Be content with a bit less vivid scenes.

We can't forget that those who have frequent headaches can be migraineurs. It is related to lack of or excess sleep. Alcohol, caffeine, chemicals to preserve processed food, chocolate, mental strain, etc can trigger it.

I would get the headaches If I tried to go beyond my limits in a lucid dream, or to have too many in one night, and no I am not a migrainer. Pretty much, just like your physical body has limits, which many haven't experienced( I have, I used to wrestle and cut 10 pounds every week, one of the surefire ways to find your limits quick), but when you go above your bodies limits, you start to get pain, and a lot of it, all over, that is not caused by what you are doing. You also get pain in your brain to, and I think it is from mentally pushing your body to do more. Same as in lucid dreaming, although a bit more complicated. You are basically pushing your body to do more, without the initial raising of mental strength before hand. Because you are young, this is easy to go over your limits. I suggest you do some focus techniques to improve your mental focus strength, and this will allow you to do more without the pain. Pressure is ok, just like when I used to play trumpet I would get enormous head pressure because of what I was exerting, same with LDing, you are doing mental gymnastics pretty much.

I'm still searching for the technique for me. now i'm attempting a sort of WILD. i've been conscious at the point of sleep paralysis several times with it yet still can't get to the lucid dream point but i gained a bit of control over that tingling sensation that occurs. 3 times this opportunity has happened in the last week. the first two times i made it tingle faster and over more of my body each time left me feeling more awake then i should feel. on the 3rd attempt i was left with a 3 day raging headache.

I thought maybe it had something to do with straning or concentrating real/too hard?

Is it because i try too hard? I had my first lucid dream this morning and i tried to fly but i could float up and it took so much concertation :d, then i tried to break the window so i could go outside but it didn't work. then i tried to fly upwards again but i woke up soon, with massive headache and my right eye hurted :/