Hello/ A Few Questions

Hi all,

As you can probably tell, I'm new here. I was drawn here by a memory that I have when I must have been 12-14 years old (I'm now 20). I was sitting in my van as my dad was driving and I began falling asleep but entering a dream at the same time. All of a sudden, I thought "holy shit, wait a second, I'm actually sleeping right now and in my van! I'm in a dream!" and got totally jacked at the idea of being consious within a dream, and immediately awoke to my dismay.

Completely captivated by the experience, I went online back then and did some research. I found that I had experience a "lucid dream" and it's very common to get overly excited and wake up. I do not believe DreamViews existed back then or I would have certainly read the entire site as I recently have. According to this website, what I experienced all those years ago was a Wake-Induced Lucid Dream (WILD) as I'm sure the more experienced of you have figured out.

Having read everything I could on this website, I now plan on dedicating some effort to inducing LDs, because I realize what an incredible feeling and experience it is. Before I begin, however, I have a few questions:

• What is, on average, the timeframe I can expect to first be able to achieve acceptable dream recall, then induce an LD? I understand it is different for everyone, so if everyone here were to post their timelines I can get a general idea.
  
• Let's say I'm successful at inducing an LD. Will I wake up mentally tired but physically rested? (Obviously it will be worth it). Or do I awake both mentally and physically refreshed regardless?
  
• Does alcohol or weed have any affect on either the likelihood or ability of inducing an LD? On weekends I am certainly going to bed under the influence of one or both of these substances.

I appreciate any answers and insight into this incredible phenomenon, as well as your time and effort to respond to me!

Don't wory to much about how long it takes you. The longer you expect it to take you the longer it likely will. Some people get there first Lucid in under a week, some take months but I bet it wont take you to long to get your next lucid since youve already had one. I've found that I wake up just as refreshed after I get a lucid dream. Weed and alchohol definitly make it harder to become lucid.

There is no reason not to expect a lucid dream tonight :D So much of lucid dreaming is based on expectations, Like MadMonkey said. Expect to have a lucid dream every night.

Unless you are interrupting your sleep or messing with your schedule, you shouldn't feel drained from lucid dreaming, at all. Your body is pretty good at grabbing the type of sleeping and dreaming it needs, when it needs it.

Weed and alcohol seem to effect peoples dreaming differently. Supposedly, weed makes you dream less, but many people claim it helps them with their dream work. Figure it out for yourself by keeping notes in your dream journal, but don't worry about it too much. Realistically, how many new age, dreamwork shaman wackos have you met who DONT smoke? :lol:

Alcohol can mess with your sleep cycles, so be careful. It is hard to hold onto your intentions when you black out drunk. In moderation, I find it can help me become lucid. After having a few drinks, I almost always wake up in the middle of the night with a racing heart. Perfect time for a glass of water, a little meditation, and some WBTB/ WILD.

I find this all very fascinating. I've had several lucid dreams over the years, but i would say that i don't know hardly anything about the concept. I have successfully lived about minute long dreams in which i have control. But, as expected, I have some questions.

-Is there any way i can make my lucid dreams happen more often? I only experience them on rare occasions.
-Can i do something to help them last longer?
-What is something really fun i can do next time? I usually stick with super powers.

Yes...Yes... annnnd Yes to your questions. Take a look at the various resources. Remember that the suggestions are merely guidelines and are in no way set in stone. Everyone is different and how you conceptualize things will weigh heavily on your personal experience. That said, sounds like you're a natural and should have no problem boosting your potential fairly quickly.