Lucid "Dream Machines" - do they work?

I'm fairly new to lucid dreaming (been at it for a couple of months now).

I'm having more and more vivid dreams but am at that frustrating stage of not being able to break through into the world of the truly lucid.

These dream machines have been around for years, but the ads I've seen for them in the past make them look like an utter scam. The promises, cheesy photos, accompanying cd sets etc.

Can anyone tell me if they actually work? At around 200-300 bucks one would think that there should be some validity to them at such a hefty price. I was considering buying one if they really do work (or at least increase the likeliness of breaking through to a reasonable degree). But the scam factor of them has me doubting.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Below are a coulple of links of the machines I've seen on ebay in case you're wondering about the type of thing I'm referring to.

Sorry of this question has come up a lot already. I did a search but haven't found anything so far.

Cheers,

LZ






http://cgi.ebay.com/Dream-Maker-Rem-...d=p3286.c0.m14


http://cgi.ebay.com/Dream-Maker-Rem-...d=p3286.c0.m14

Well, I hear they are very helpful. I myself have been thinking of maybe getting one from ebay.

But I also hear that there are many people that it doesn't work for. So it is quite a risk getting something that expensive that has a chance of not working.

setting a cell phone (or any other alarm device) to go off on a low beep for a few minutes after you have been asleep for a few hours should have the same essential effect

They don't really. There are no shortcuts, no pills, nothing that can help with lucid dreaming. This guy explains the problems with dreaming induction devices.

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Originally Posted by The Cusp

They don't really. There are no shortcuts, no pills, nothing that can help with lucid dreaming. This guy explains the problems with dreaming induction devices.

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I haven't got the chance to look at the video, but your right Cusp about that there are no shortcuts, pills and such, but I do think it can help.

I never tried the device before, but from what I've read, they do not make you lucid. It's nothing more than a workout machine for the mind. I say workout machine because you still have to put in the effort. The device flashes light, and in the dream, you need to recognize that any bright light could be the signal from your mask.

There's no magical-clincally-proven-lypozeme-weightloss-pill for lucid dreaming.

So buy it at your own risk if you choose. Just know that there will still be some work to do.

Oh and, welcome to DreamViews :)

Personally, I'd just stick to standard techniques such as WILDing, WBTB, etc. These things work, and it'll save you some of the green stuff. However, if you feel that it will help you in your lucid dreaming, then by all means, purchase one.

~Kordan~

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Originally Posted by The Cusp

They don't really. There are no shortcuts, no pills, nothing that can help with lucid dreaming. This guy explains the problems with dreaming induction devices.

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That's not true Cusp. Research has been done and there are a myriad of supplements that affect certain neurotransmitters in our brain responsible for dreams. I suppose you think Laberge's Nova Dreamer was completely ridiculous and didn't help a single person at all right? :wtf:

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Originally Posted by The Cusp

They don't really. There are no shortcuts, no pills, nothing that can help with lucid dreaming.

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No magic pill... Except for Galantamine.

If you want to get into some lucid aids, supplements are your best bet. It is tricky to get the dosages right, but when you find a combination that works for you you're set :D The most common one is Galantamine/ Choline. It is as close as you can get to a lucid dream pill. Get a copy of this book, if you're interested:
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Lucid.../dp/1430305428

Or read around in our lucid aids forum. Be careful. People claim that everything from chocolate, to apple juice, to french bread pizza will make you lucid. Most of it is just placebo.

The two-way communication and customizable software sound pretty useful compared with the older versions, which just flash lights and make sounds. Still, I'd say it probably isn't worth that much money unless you've tried it out already and know it works for you, or if you've been trying to LD for a long time without success.

As Jeff and RB said, supplements work well too (so I've heard; I haven't tried them yet).

Welcome to dreamviews liquidzen!

I wouldn't spend that much money on one of those things as lucid dreaming isn't really hard enough for you to need one. If your going to buy anything you should buy some type of supplement. Also just improving dream recall can improve dream vividness, lately my dreams have been almost as realistic as real life.

So if your going to use an induction devise you should just try to make one or buy a do it yourself kit for about 30 bucks. I'll try to get the link later.

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Originally Posted by Jeff777

That's not true Cusp. Research has been done and there are a myriad of supplements that affect certain neurotransmitters in our brain responsible for dreams.

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I won't believe it until I see research that shows those supplements can outperform placebos.

i made one that flashes lights into my eyes after a certain amount of time after it is turned on, when it starts flashing i just have dreams of seeing gunfire or running away from a forest fire.

so it doesn't work for me, unless i can somehow remember that if i see fire or gunfire that it means i am dreaming, which i can't

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Originally Posted by minzui

i made one that flashes lights into my eyes after a certain amount of time after it is turned on, when it starts flashing i just have dreams of seeing gunfire or running away from a forest fire.

so it doesn't work for me, unless i can somehow remember that if i see fire or gunfire that it means i am dreaming, which i can't

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The whole point of these lucid aids is to learn to recognize the signs that the machine gives you, so of course it won't work if you can't recognize the cues. It's a lucid aid, not a magical instant lucidity machine.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm at the stage of extremely vivid dreams at the moment, but so far no sign of even a false awakening. Something's going on upstairs, I just need to try and keep pushing it to the next level.

Sugar Glider if you could post a link to a DIY machine I'd love to look into that. Not as a one-stop-lucid-shop as you guys say, but certainly as an aid.

Cheers all

LZ