Is it safe to LD?

**Gui** · 09-01-2012 03:06 AM

Hello everyone, I'm new at LD. I read a few threads about my question but I need an especific answer.

I just want to know if it's safe do LD. I like the way I dream, but sometimes they are messy and it's like a movie, I can do anything by myself, I think is that way to a lot of people. Trough LD I want to enhance my dreaming experience but I'm afraid that somehow I can spoil my original dreams. Does someone has or had this same kind of fear?

And if I try a couple of times and want to stop LD, my mind will behave the same as before? Or will it be unable to dream properly?

Sorry if I'm not clear enough and for the mistakes. If I'm being very confuse just say the word and I will explain better.

Anyway, any brazilians here?

**GuitarShot100** · 09-01-2012 03:39 AM

I am brazilian too, welcome to DV

I understand your worries, there are no cases where it is reported that a "lucid dream" has caused any damage at any level, be it psychological or physiological. Your mind will behave the same as before but it can change the way you see life, well for me totally changed. Your non-lucids dreams will be the same as always, is possible that you realize that you are dreaming with no intention sometimes but if you just stop thinking about how it's a dream you will lost the lucidy and the dream will be a non-lucid dream again. Don't worry about it, lucid dreaming is safe.

**MadMonkey** · 09-01-2012 03:42 AM

Lucid dreaming is one hundred and fifty percent safe! Lucid dreams are no different from normal dreams except you realize that you are dreaming. You can still have non lucid dreams just like you used to. In fact having lucid dreams on any kind of a regular bases requires a lot of dedication.

BTW welcome to dreamviews!

**Supernova** · 09-01-2012 03:44 AM

It is completely safe. It will not fuck up your dreams, you won't deprive your mind of time to store memories or send you subconscious messages, you can't kill yourself, you can't get stuck in a dream, it won't fuck up your brain chemistry, you will still have plenty of normal dreams, it will not make you go crazy or make you think you're dreaming when you're not. Any questions?

No, lucid dreaming is pretty much the safest and most powerful way to explore your mind that exists. About the closest you can come to harming yourself via lucid dreaming is if you lose some sleep one night because you stayed up trying to WILD (and if this happens, you're doing it wrong).

And don't worry about not being able to dream like before. I promise you if you become at all slack in your efforts the lucid dreams will cease promptly. Lol.

**Matte87** · 09-01-2012 06:44 AM

Safe as safe can be. Also, why not risk a few normal dreams to experience something new? Lucid dreams are way cooler than non-lucids, as long as you have a few goals in mind you will never have a boring time.

**paigeyemps** · 09-01-2012 07:00 AM

Yep, it's perfectly safe! And it's awesome to control your dreams and do anything you ever wanted. And I can't imagine if you learned to do it, why you would want to stop ;D

Good luck!

**ElectroDream** · 09-02-2012 04:34 PM

It is perfectly safe, and can actually bring to light things about yourself or your life that you would otherwise ignore. I recently had a partially lucid dream in which one of my good friends was killed. Of course he isn't actually dead, but it made me realise I should stop taking my life and those closest to me for granted and I'm on the road to actually living a decent life instead just hiding behind a computer screen 24/7 like I would usually (still a little but only for DV haha)

**Mzzkc** · 09-02-2012 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

Lucid dreaming is one hundred and fifty percent safe!

Now those are statistics I can get behind!

On a more serious note:

The fact of the matter is there have been no long term studies into the harmful effects of LDing, so no one can say for sure if any exist or not.

However, from a psychological standpoint, lucid dreaming has been shown to be very beneficial in the short term (barring preexisting abnormalities).

Of course, there are real physiological differences between normal dreams and lucid dreams of which you should be aware. They shouldn't pose too much of a problem, but several areas of the brain show increased activity during lucid dreaming. Without going into details (do the research yourself), if your diet isn't balanced well, you may find yourself suffering mild headaches upon waking from a mentally taxing LD.

Other than that, there isn't too much to worry about short term--unless you decide to supplements, at which point you should discuss things with your doctor.

**TheForgotten** · 09-05-2012 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

. . . if your diet isn't balanced well, you may find yourself suffering mild headaches upon waking from a mentally taxing LD.

Oh? I mean, it makes sense. . . a poor diet can lead to a number of ailments. When you say 'balanced' are you referring to an ideal distribution of macronutrients? What is ideal, in your opinion, for LD'ing?

That and I assume a decent dose of b12 would also help resolve some of the headaches?

I actually do get occasional headaches from LD'ing and haven't been able to pinpoint a precise reason for them. I'd be open to some explorations if you have some decent suggestions.