1st sleep paralysis a week ago...then 1st lucid dream last night....any reason for coincidence?

**helloworld** · 10-15-2010 03:23 AM

I've always been frustrated by my inability to have lucid dreams as I've heard other people describe them with such awe.

Well, I smoked marijuana all day everyday for 4.5 years. I quit two months ago and started to have more realistic dreams but I couldn't attain lucidity.

Then, a week ago, I experienced sleep paralysis for the first time in my life, complete with one hell of a visual hallucination. It was very surreal, reminded me of psychedelic trips I've had, and I liked it. Then, last night, I had the MOST INTENSE, VIVID, REALISTIC dream I've ever had and briefly became lucid before I panicked and twisted my body out of it, after which I had a false awakening with dream control but very little awareness.

I'm hooked. I can't wait to get back to sleep.

I'm wondering, though, is it weird that I've had these two first-time experiences during the same week? Maybe all traces of marijuana have finally left my brain and I'm dreaming like I should have been years ago? Is this a sign that I'm ready to do some serious dream exploration, or might it just be a set of fluke occurrences chalked up to recent depression/anxiety and abnormal sleep patterns (or perhaps the downer-type pills I've been taking?)

I'm just a little scared that this will be a one-off thing...I can't describe how beautiful and clear the dream was and I want more!

Still pissed off at myself for getting scared and prematurely aborting what may end up being my only chance at exploring the dream world...

JP · 10-15-2010 04:21 AM

I've never heard of Marijuana having such effects but it's very possible. You will continue to have more dreams, don't worry. Just keep practicing, writing in your dream journal (assuming you have one), and perform reality checks throughout the day to ensure you perform one in your dream. Congratulations on your first encounters and keep it up.

**rookybeats** · 10-15-2010 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by helloworld

I've always been frustrated by my inability to have lucid dreams as I've heard other people describe them with such awe.

Well, I smoked marijuana all day everyday for 4.5 years. I quit two months ago and started to have more realistic dreams but I couldn't attain lucidity.

Then, a week ago, I experienced sleep paralysis for the first time in my life, complete with one hell of a visual hallucination. It was very surreal, reminded me of psychedelic trips I've had, and I liked it. Then, last night, I had the MOST INTENSE, VIVID, REALISTIC dream I've ever had and briefly became lucid before I panicked and twisted my body out of it, after which I had a false awakening with dream control but very little awareness.

I'm hooked. I can't wait to get back to sleep.

I'm wondering, though, is it weird that I've had these two first-time experiences during the same week? Maybe all traces of marijuana have finally left my brain and I'm dreaming like I should have been years ago? Is this a sign that I'm ready to do some serious dream exploration, or might it just be a set of fluke occurrences chalked up to recent depression/anxiety and abnormal sleep patterns (or perhaps the downer-type pills I've been taking?)

I'm just a little scared that this will be a one-off thing...I can't describe how beautiful and clear the dream was and I want more!

Still pissed off at myself for getting scared and prematurely aborting what may end up being my only chance at exploring the dream world...

Cannabis does indeed inhibit dreams, so I'm just assuming that everything will be more vivid for a while now until it all stabilises (you were a long term smoker yeah?)

Just wait it out and you can start to explore dreams into more detail soon