The NovaDreamer Review

[StephenBerlin]

The NovaDreamer Review There comes a time for every new lucid dreamer when the question arises whether or not to purchase one of more of the various devices that were invented and designed to aid the likelihood of achieving this much desired state. When somebody claims that some technological gizmo can have an impact on altering your state of consciousness, you should be skeptical. My confidence in Dr. Stephen LaBerge and the Lucidity Institute was the deciding factor. I first purchased their NovaDreamer. The NovaDreamer is not cheap, but it is a truly scientifically slick and cleverly thought out device. The mask is attractive in blue, black and silver (when I bought it). You simply wear it over your eyes when sleeping. An elastic strap with velcro makes it adjustable to the size of your head and (usually) keeps it in place as you toss and turn throughout the night. Adequate size foam cutouts keep the mask from actually touching your eyes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a computer strapped to my head was not uncomfortable. The actual mechanism is the size of a thin deck of cards and easily slips into a pocket on the front of the mask. It is powered by two AAA batteries. Easy to follow instructions teach you how to select (or custom configure) any number of a variety of flashes and/or beeps to cue you when the mask's internal sensors detect that have entered REM sleep and are dreaming. Amazingly to me, the mask does actually and accurately do this. You can set a delay in ten minute increments before the mask will begin its job of looking for your jittery eyelids. This will enable you to get to sleep without triggering false alarms and gives you control over the time of night you might choose to target for your cues. You simply need to push a hidden button on the front of the mask - let's say 9 times - and the NovaDreamer will wait 90 minutes before scanning your eyelids. The mask flashes once and lightly chirps for each time you push the button, thus providing some sensory feedback as you set it. The NovaDreamer also counts the number of times it has cued you during sleep. The flashing is so obvious through your closed eyelids that it is a bit of a shock when you discover that you have been cued many times during sleep that you have no recollection of having noticed. In most cases, your dreaming mind somehow incorporates the flashing cues plausibly into your dream environment. In other words, it is possible - even likely- that your flashing cues may appear visually in your dream as lightning (for one rather obvious example) and consequently go unnoticed as the cues they are intended to be. Lucid dreamers who employ the mask are thus wisely taught to become much more aware of lights when awake - particularly bright, flashing or unusual ones. Thus lights become a nurtured "dreamsign," which increases the likelihood that you will recognize the NovaDreamer cues for what they really are - even though your dream attempts to disguise them. Even when I miss the cues, I am usually impressed by the incredible ingenuity of the Dreaming Self to incorporate external stimuli into the internal dreaming experience. Here is one of my own examples: One night, a procession of Roman Catholic Cardinals in their scarlet robes suddenly appeared and marched by me in my dream. I awakened just enough in this particular instance to notice that my mask was flashing. The lights in the mask are red. In some instances, though, the NovaDreamer's flashing red cues do not appear red in the dream and, as in this example, do not necessarily flash - a phenomenon I find both noteworthy and curious. Once the NovaDreamer sensors detect REM, it waits three additional minutes before cuing you - I assume to allow you additional time to get more securely into your dream. Now, does the NovaDreamer truly assist lucid dreaming, and is it worth the price? Yes it does, and yes it is, but with a few necessary disclaimers. First of all, I had lucid dreams prior to using the device. Consequently, I can't say that it initiated the ability or guarantee it will trigger a lucid dream. With a fairly high price tag, having some preliminary experience with lucidity is probably a good idea. In my own case, lucid dreaming wasn't worth a dime - until I suddenly found myself active and conscious in a magical world of my mind's own making. After that, the NovaDreamer seemed the bargain of the aeon. A vista of possibilities for experimentation beyond the physical and social limitations of our waking world opened before me. And one point not to be overlooked is that this state is available to every religion, belief, sexual preference, discipline and art. The NovaDreamer serves the same purpose as any thoughtfully designed tool in the hands of a skilled craftsman. I use the device occasionally rather than frequently because I was relatively successful having lucid dreams without it, and I don't want to risk losing the natural ability which could perhaps be suppressed by relying too heavily on external vs. internal cues (Note: I had my first lucid dream when I was age 42 - I'm now 63). There is also the factor of novelty that I think plays a part. Flashing lights in your eyes during every dream every night is likely to become so common as to go unnoticed or be ignored. But whereas my preference would be to have lucid dreams without employing the device, it has turned out to have some unexpected benefits. For one thing, it has taught me more about the nature of both sleep and dreams. I often have insomnia but, thanks to the NovaDreamer, I have learned that I actually sleep much more than I thought. I may believe that I have been awake most of the night - only for my NovaDreamer to indicate that it has cued me many more times than I remember. The NovaDreamer is an ingenious tool for "reality testing" and "false awakenings" - two concepts thoroughly covered in Stephen LaBerge's books which quickly become an important part of a lucid dreamer's vocabulary. These subjects seemed simplistic to me when I first read about them, but as you become familiar with the dream state and the games it so adeptly plays to keep you from recognizing that you are dreaming, then these very elementary techniques quickly prove their worth. Now and then someone expresses reluctance to try lucid dreaming based on the assumption that he or she will sacrifice a peaceful slumber after a hard day for a busy night of bliss. This should not be a concern since dreams occupy only a small portion of your sleep and any periods of successful lucidity even much less. My own experience, and that of other "oneironauts" indicates that it requires at least some motivation to experience lucidity occasionally and considerable passion to experience with frequency. Admittedly, the NovaDreamer cues do have the potential to fully awaken you, so if you are prone to having trouble getting back to sleep, this should be taken into consideration. I simply don't use my NovaDreamer at times when I am exhausted and recognize that my need for sufficient sleep supersedes my love for lucidity. And one final relevant example from my dream journal is an instance in which my NovaDreamer kept flashing periodically throughout a lucid dream, in essence frequently "reminding me" that I was dreaming and preventing me from slipping back into "unconscious" dreaming. This particular dream seemed to last well over an hour, and was one of my most intense and memorable. The NovaDreamer helped me maintain an important mental balance for a very long time. One of the most effective settings on my mask (for me) are flashes that the the longest possible and the brightest possible.. At first my dream found an explanation for the temporary "blinding brightness" (a power failure followed by blinding floodlights). Now when I am blinded by brightness, it is a dreamsign that (usually) triggers lucidity. Whether or not the NovaDreamer can or will produce a lucid dream for you, no one of course can predict with certainty. I can say with assurance that, at the very least, its dedicated use will teach you many things you didn't know about your sleep. And, to end on the positive note that this small technological wonder deserves, its potential to initiate lucidity is unquestionably there. If you are serious about being a victor over your own consciousness, this weapon should be in your arsenal. /Stephen Berlin

[IAmCoder]

From their newsletter 2 days ago: "After 5 years of testing, we are ready to release the NovaDreamer2 to the world. Stay tuned, and expect announcements in June, and in the Live Webinar starting next week." [...] "Suitable for all levels of experience, our program will feature group and individual exercises for developing awareness skills and valuable insights into the application of lucidity; a sleep schedule optimized for the promotion of lucid dreams; use of lucid dream induction technology including the new NovaDreamer2, and (optional) use of a natural substance that our research has shown to be an effective promotor of lucidity; discussion sessions and personal guidance. Over the more than 10 years of offering this program, we have found that most participants, regardless of whether or not they have had a lucid dream in the past, will succeed in having at least one during the program."

[DawgBone]

Terrific review, Stephen. Thanks! Here is a video review of the old version:

[LucidiTEA]

I have been checking everyday for the Novadreamer 2 announcement. I am eager to see what new features have been in development for a decade. I hope they have it priced right. It definitely wont be a $100 device like Remee. Hopefully it is still affordable to most though.

[ace55]

Yeah. I seen those sold. There's a knock off on one on Amazon. I dont know how they work. Its not something I would personally try simply because the price is too high. Usually about $200-300.00 and Im not going to pay that for something that may or may not work at all. Probably in my case...not work at all lol. I can't even test it and if I dont like it return it as if I bought it from Target or something. I would really look into it, research, read peoples writeups on it. Into than be cautious of it. Ive seen some good reviews, and I seen one guy on Amazon right up it did nothing for him but made him feel like he had a mask on and it was pointless. Its like those commercials I see on TV that say "A special burning exercise rope. Burns calories 90 percent more than anything else. All you have to do is put it under feet and do pull ups with it." Some people will marget it anything. So be careful. Since it involves lights shinning small red lights into your eyes at night during sleep...I would seriously ask your Ophthalmologist (eye doctor) if this can have any long term affects or damage on your eye health in the future.

[Ctharlhie]

I would doubt it would pose health risks as the lights are LEDs and are red.

[ace55]

I re-read my posts I say "Gosh...I need to really re-read lmy posts...bad spelling and grammar all over." lol. Yeah I dont know about the eye health issues. But I heard mix things about these masks. If one is a deep sleeper than would they still work the same? My deal breaker would be this. If you're going to try it...make sure they give you a 30 day money back return if you're not happy and have it in writing. That way if you spend $300 on this thing and it does nothing at all...than you can return it (and if they dont take it back put it on dispute through your credit card.) Its not like Walmart where ya can say "Ill try it...doesnt work Ill just throw it in the box and return it." So have to be careful. Im not saying anything good or bad against these products. Ive never tried them...but buying from third party sites like this, and with the high cost and not knowing if it really will work...one should be very cautious. You can also buy it and hate the feeling of it on your head or it can give you itchy feelings around your head where the mask is. Just make sure you can return it if you're not happy or dont see results. If they say "Sold As Is" or "No Returns Allow" than do not buy it. There's something wrong with it then. Reminds me in the 1980s when people were selling those rock charms. "Where them around your neck and the charm a special rock from the hidden lost villages of Ireland with blessed powers will stream through your body and make you smarter and give you higher IQ." and the rock looks no differnt tha those I could pick up from any field or desert and is only a mental placebo.

[LucidiTEA]

It looks like Novadreamer 2 is now being used at the Lucidity Institute workshops. Unfortunately, the only details they post about the new device is: This new model is more comfortable than earlier versions of the device. I hope in the past decade they were able to do a bit more than increase the comfort level... Source: NovaDreamer Adventures