Music and Lucid Dreaming...

[fire_walk_with_me]

Every night before i fall asleep, my boyfriend and i listen to music, its different every night, but now that i am trying to learn how to lucid dream, i dont know if it has an effect on either the dream, the dream state or the ability to enduce a dream or prevent me from lucid dreaming. also, i saw someone say something about relaxing sound bytes and listening to them, do you find it more useful then falling asleep without anything, in silence? I also am going to try VILD, since i have seem to be having a difficult time with MILD. For me, it seems like when i TRY to concentrate, i only stay awake longer, i have very high anxity and a history of insomnia. With the only successful recollection of being lucid, it was short lived and i was unable to do anything, i couldnt perform a reaility check, and i awoke quickly after realizing i was dreaming. the other few nights i have attempeted to become lucid, its been very, very difficult to put myself into a relaxed state. now, here is where the good question comes in... does weed, or anything else help enduce sleeping in attempt to become lucid? I smoke normally, all the time, but i dont know if i should before bed or not... ok, i think thats all i have, and thanks for the advice and intresting inputs... -Fire-

[GestaltAlteration]

You comment about music; I gotta say if it excites you but you can continue to be relaxed and not affected by it that there is no problem with sound bytes or anything. Interestingly enough Alot of times in LD I'll hear beautiful music in the dream so it might augment the experience. As for your trouble getting it I'm supposing that since your a regular smoker and claim to have trouble that the two could very well be connected, though some drugs may help (not naming any) Pot seems to cloud the mind alot more then enhance anything that might be affiliated with dreams. Thanks my 2 cents

[evangel]

Originally posted by GestaltAlteration ... some drugs may help (not naming any) Pot seems to cloud the mind alot more then enhance anything that might be affiliated with dreams. I'gree. That has also been my experience with drugs in general. Music (and LDing ) is a much healthier mind altering substance The times in the past when I have gone to sleep while on drugs (several types, including mj) my control and recall have been hindered. You might have a dream about feeling high or hallucinating or something like that, but what's the point? The dream is itself a way of experiencing a natural "high." Things like flying, playing sports, or overcoming fears of various sorts are exciting enough and more able to be done without brain pollutants like THC (not to mention the hundreds of toxins and chemicals that are in many such drugs). Simply stretching and using your imagination while dreaming is better than trying to induce states through outside influences, methinks. Das my 2 cents.

[Acid_Alex]

lol , fire Your describing the same situation i was in when i found this site, I always knew that pot and other drugs wernt good for me but lucid dreaming was a massive insentive to start getting me off drugs. ( note: i was not a complete drug waster i jus got tempted every now n then) Even though i only took 'other drugs' every now n then i smoked pot everyday , throughout the day. i also tryed lucid techniques and got frustrated and anxiety kicked in too. i have now cut down to only 3 Joints in late evening and my recall is getting much better and with every dream i remember i feel like im getting closer to lucidity . Is your earth sign Fire?

[42]

That's great, Alex! Keep it up man! I also know from experience that it's really hard to quit substances - for me, especially weed. I always get better recall the less I smoke. It's hard for me to get to sleep without smoking a lot of times, but it's a very worth while sacrifice. Dreams are a million times better than drugs. Drugs are only trying to get you closer to that dream state feeling (inside your mind) anyway. So why not do it fully while you sleep, instead of taking yourself away from people who desire your companionship during your waking hours. I think maybe dreams are a gift to you, and your waking experience is then meant to be your gift to others.

[Acid_Alex]

I totally agree , dreams are much better but also i got abit of an overactive mind so having a smoke before bed helps me sleep The other night i dreamt i took drugs in my dream , and it was great it was like taking em in real life but much more intense and when i woke up i wasnt on a come-down .... i like this road , its not a dead-end

[fire_walk_with_me]

Thanks guys... First off, no, Fire isnt in any way or form a sign of mine or anything...i just happen to have a company i own(ed) which i named Kissing Fire (my nickname from my old bf was fire) not to mention, i adore David Lynch and the movie Fire Walk With Me. Secondly, I too have the hardest time falling asleep unless i smoke. It seems to be the best way for me to fall asleep. If i dont smoke, it usually takes me anywhere from 2-5 hrs to fall asleep, and ill be lucky if i stay asleep. I find myself waking up at least 5 times thoughout the night if i dont smoke. Thirdly, smoking does hinder my dream recall, making it cloudy and a little foggy, but, it doesnt hinder my dreaming and the images i can recall. They seem to be more exciting and realistic when i smoke...but the downfall is i only remember bits and peices... and finially, i am finding it easier to dream when i dont listen to music, but more ambient sounds, which i adore anyway...im big into experemental music and sounds... again, thanks for the advice kids, you are the best time 8. Fire

[Khronos]

When listening to music and dreaming, I tend to get alot of Deja Vu. I made a thread on this before but I'm too lazy to find it, feel free to search for it.

[evangel]

Originally posted by fire_walk_with_me smoking does hinder my dream recall, making it cloudy and a little foggy, but, it doesnt hinder my dreaming and the images i can recall. They seem to be more exciting and realistic when i smoke...but the downfall is i only remember bits and peices... and finially, i am finding it easier to dream when i dont listen to music, but more ambient sounds, which i adore anyway...im big into experemental music and sounds... For those with overactive minds, or other problems relaxing the body or the mind, I might suggest stretching, calisthenics, and/or meditation instead of smoking. One technique I use to relax is to first stretch out on the floor with some slight massage to the legs and arms, then I lie on my back in bed, close my eyes, and focus my mind on my toes or soles and imagine the flow of blood/fluid gradually inching up my legs, hips, torso, neck, etc. to the top of my head then back down again. Doing this repeatedly is an excellent way to relax while also retaining a level of awareness of the body - which for me often leads to lucidity even while falling asleep. Smoking, in my experience has also severely hindered my ability to control during lucidity. Being an active/interactive participant in lucid dreams instead of simply being a passive observer or recipient of subconscious experience is a much more stimulating and interesting use of time during sleep in my o.

[Acid_Alex]

Thanks for the advice, i will try harder in future . when i started smoking pot i didnt think it was addictive ... ppfffft! (how wrong i was)

[Lowercase Society]

Music definately has some effect on the brain... *cough*pinkfloyd*cough* ...f.reaky stuff when falling asleep.

[Acid_Alex]

Heh /me loves pink floyd "I've got a clan of gingerbread men. Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men. Take a couple if you wish. They're on the dish. " Heh heh heh