Chemical impossibility?

[acheron]

Just wondering if theres any info out there on chemical or physical differences that would prevent someone from lucid dreaming. I've been trying to for a long time now - I think a couple of years before joining this forum, so that would make it over 4 years of failing. The closest I ever get on rare occasions is knowing that I'm dreaming, but I still accept the dream as the only reality. I must have tried every technique and tip out there. - I now possess a pretty good dream recall, being able to remember between 4 and 7 dreams a night in detail without exception. Interesting, but useless. - I can maintain a meditative state where I'm mostly unaware of the passage of time for several hours. Useless. - I can will my body to ignore what I tell it and induce a sort of sleep paralysis without the sleeping. Alarming at times, and useless. Among a few other bits and pieces I've picked up on the hunt for that elusive lucid dream. All of them useless, and I am not any closer to having one than the day I first read about the concept. I guess I'm looking for advice or input that would help a retarded dreamer such as myself.

[skysaw]

Hi Acheron, It sounds very frustrating, and I commend you for still trying after that much time. Just a couple of quick questions for you: 1. Do you keep a dream journal? 2. Have you successfully identified any potential strong dream signs? I believe that knowing your dream signs well is the most important piece of the puzzle. If you have trouble identifying them, I am very good at spotting them in other people's journals, if they are detailed enough.

[kevg]

HI, I am new here, but I've found this concept of interest and have been thinking about for the past few months. While I have had a number of lucid dreams, unlike yourself acheron, what helped me was when I stumbled upon this book: Advanced Lucid Dreaming: The Power of Supplements by Thomas Yuschak It is a good simple explanation of some of the chemicals within your brain, primarily the neurotransmitters, what over the counter supplements assist them and how you can use this knowledge to inducing a lucid dream. I can't fully answer if there is simply a biological or chemical necessity for lucid dreaming, but I am inclined to think that has to be part of the equation to some degree. I, too have lied there in bed for literally for 4 to 5 hours, body asleep, mind awake - to no avail. I recently tried using a supplement of "Choline" called Alpha GPC that affects the neurotransmitter "Actylcholine", this is what I understand to be the primary chemical in the brain you want to have in play. I did have a lucid dream by using this method, and I plan to continue it. For what its worth... If you haven't read this book, I recommend looking at it, as if nothing else it will provide with a place to start. Good god man! 4 years? Bravo, your will power is amazing! Good luck... kevin

[legit]

hmm, thats strange, you have all the solid skills that are used to have a lucid dream but it doesnt work... do you do reality checks every day? And did you ever try using an mp3 to help induce a lucid dream, those work well for me sometimes. also, try your methods in the morning after you wake from a dream, not at night while going to sleep, my attempts never work at night. if you still fail, try reading up about OBEs and techniques to have them. real or not, theyre a very similar experience to LD's and to some people theyre easier to have.

[IndigoGhost]

Been havening a similar problem for 8 months really sucks, good for you for carrying on thou

[legit]

nvm, delete this post.

[westonci]

http://www.bostonneuropsa.org/PDF...ET_AL.__02.pdf This is an article written by Allan Hobson called "The prefrontal cortex in sleep" (2002) It says that the Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is one of the few areas deactivated during REM sleep, and where working memory occurs.The DLPFC plays a role in sustaining attention and working memory an consciousness. And that Lucidity can results in the activation of this part of the brain.

[funkychimp]

Hi Guys, I have also been trying for about a year and a half wih no joy. The only Lucid experiences I have had are when I was using Galatamine. I have come to the conclusion that it does not matter how many techiques you know or Rcs you do, if you don't have the correct chemical make up in your brain, you ain't gunna have a LD. I mean even Stephen Le Berge, the king of Lucid Dreaming hands Galatamine pills out at his retreats/courses. I just don't like taking pills that mess with your brain. Just my 2cents Funkychimp

[The Enterer]

I don't think there is anything to support the idea that anyone is for any chemical reason unable to become lucid. I do fully believe though, that if you're telling yourself that you can't you won't.

[Thatperson]

I do think that chemicals play a major part, but i also believe it can be corrected to a reasonable degree. Maybe Cod Liver Oil may help, I've just started using Cod Liver Oil so I'll keep you posted on the results