Failed Recall Improvement

Hey guys so I have always been fascinated by dreams but never knew how to become lucid until I can here. I have read quite a few guides and read part of Stephan Leberg?'s book. I was keeping a journal for about two weeks where I was having 1-4 dreams per night which was amazing because I used to have dreams once every few months. I quit that for a while due to finals and whatnot last year.

So, I just started becoming interested again and would really like to have dreams again. I have been performing reality checks whenever I think of it and tried mantras as I fall asleep, drinking green tea before bed, chamomile before sleep, been going to bed earlier than normal, not being in front of screens before bed, etc. I just bought some Holy Basil/Tulsi seeds so I will try growing that for effects. I havent been drinking or smoking either. Yet I haven't had any dreams whatsoever in the last month or more. I just started all the said methods about a week ago. I get emotions after waking up slightly, but thats it. I even lay there without moving to try and recall something.

I never did have dreams often as a kid usually only a handful of times per year, yet those two weeks I was at least having some dreams, so I know I can. I don't even care about be becoming lucid anymore because I can't even dream.

Ideas of what I can do? I will try to buy some actual Tulsi tea within the next few days as well. I'm stumped guys please help me out.

The fact is that you most likely are dreaming, but just forgetting them when you wake up .
I would suggest to start writing down even the emotions that you feel, its a start at least.

Also maybe try a mantra before you sleep. "I will remember my dreams" that should help a little :)

Give meditation a shot if you don't already, I hadn't remembered any dreams for about 3 weeks until a few days ago when I finally stopped putting off meditating and I remembered a good 3 dreams that night. Now I've been doing it every night and I really think it helps. Ex: When I sleep over at my Dad's house, it's in a very uncomfortable bed and I almost NEVER recall anything the next morning. When I meditated before sleeping last night in that god awful bed I had 4 freakin' awesome dreams (they were unusually awesome and I woke up after 4 hours of sleep feeling so rested as if I had slept 12 hours) and 1 little fragment. But it also helps me in my normal bed. I didn't actually go by any meditation guide or advice. Just kind of sat down and let my mind go blank.

@nito I have been try mantras to no avail but I guess I'll try writing down emotions.

@ tehmuffinman I have recently become interested in meditation but I don't really know how to do it. Any suggestions on how to learn? I sit there letting thoughts pass resolving them and trying to become "thoughtless" but never seem to get anywhere.

I personally have no clue as to what would be called proper meditation. I just kind of found the general idea from here and sat in silence focusing on my breathing and gently removing any thoughts that should come to my attention. As for a real bit of advice for it, I would suggest checking out the Dreamviews Academy for Shockwave's class on meditation. I don't think it is active anymore but you can go back to learn from the lessons already posted: Meditation (ShockWave)

When I meditate, I usually just sit in a relaxed position and feel my body, And try to push away any thoughts I have.

I have done this but nothing happens. I need a goal like in lucid dreaming. What am I trying to accomplish by doing this - how do I know when I'm even done?

You can try to sleep with an extra pillow, so you have a higher sleeping position for your head. Just make sure it is still comfortable and does not cause a tense neck. This change with a higher sleeping position should result in you having a lighter sleep, so you do not sleep quite as deep. From having a lighter sleep, it is more easy to remember dreams. That is why you might also remember more easily a dream, when you in the morning push the snooze button of your alarm and doze for few more minutes. Those dreams while dozing off are much more easy to remember.