New here, bit of insight on me.

[Optik]

Optik ; 18 ; male. I have a pretty extensive mind, or so I like to believe. I do believe the famous quote that the only thing I know is that I know nothing. I had a pretty bad experience on pot, (only tried it a few time too), and it kind of changed my perception on life. I thought I was insane for a bit Long story. But, I've always been interested in Lucid Dreaming and AP somewhat. It has always scared me a bit, too. I've lucid dreamed about 50 times in my life, not sure how many were induced though. Not alot. I'm just curious if anyone thinks Lucid Dreaming causes any phsycological damage? I suffer from derealization I believe. I have a lot to say but not enough time tonight, I'll explain more tommorow. I just think about the earth alot, why are we here, how did we get here. It's so weird when you REALLY think about it. We are living on a ball floating in the air Post.

[james-25:22pm]

I have never heard anything about Lucid Dreaming being damaging but i must say...im embarassed to not know what derealisation is.... but I guess it has something to do with your perception of what's real and what isnt? the practice of reality checking surely would help this? to stabilise the fact that what you are experiencing is real. (im guessing youve read up about what reality checking is!) maybe someone else has anything to add

[NeAvO]

Welcome to the forum Well it looks like you're a natural then as you have had quite alot of lucid dreams. Lucid dreaming doesn't cause any psychological damage, there's alot of people on this forum that lucid dream constantly and we aren't crazy at all Also stay off the pot Not because it's illegal but because it also damages your dream recall and makes it hard for you to remember dreams which makes lucid dreaming pointless

[Optik]

Yes, I know what reality checking is. Also, I hate pot, always have. Only smoked it a few times. I know whats real and what isn't, easily. Derealization is just a weird feeling, like you feel distant from the world. It's odd, read about it on www.wikipedia.org

[ExoByte]

Lucid Dreaming isn't damaging except to those who are already damaged. You say you suffer from Derealization? Do you often get confused between what is real and what isn't? In or out of a dream. I hope you don't take offense to that. This isn't a product of Lucid Dreaming, as its something that has happened naturally to people for god knows how long. To have ill side effects from lucid dreaming would be like saying there can be ill side effects to your eye colour. Its normal, its natural. The only difference is its a little more in our control than our eye colour The only thing we really worry about here is some people using Lucid Dreaming as a means of escape. Escapism can be a problem for some people in rare cases. Once again though, Lucid Dreaming isn't the cause of the problem, its just a tool that enhances it. As I said earlier, it can't damage that which isn't already damaged.

[Optik]

I never get confused, you've misinterpretted the definition of Derealization. It's the sensation that sometimes I get when realithy feels fake, it's hard to explain, but everyone has it sometimes, almost anyone can relate. Like, you've never just stopped and thought about life, the world, etc? You get this feeling like your out of it, like everything feels like a dream. I always know it's not, so it doesn't really affect me. Its just odd. Can anyone relate?

[ExoByte]

In that case, thats no so much really a problem then is it? A lot of people feel that way, even those with no knowledge or experience in Lucid Dreaming

[Optik]

Well, I felt alone for the longest time thinking I was the only one. I'm not crazy or anything.

[Optik]

Bump