Project: Combined Techniques Method - Your Advice on DR, Meditation, Magnesium, Tryptophan, Zinc...

Hey, folks. I had an account here before the site changed so I'm kind of familiar with the place and I don't need any big explanations. I'm looking for your advice for a variety of dream induction techniques which I'm combining to try and form a stable, fool-proof method.

First is the obvious one, dream recall. I've started a DJ again. First I wake up and immediately focus on key elements of the dreams, then I scribble them down, later writing out a few short paragraphs.

Then there's meditation. It's pretty simple stuff; I'm just trying to relax and focus my mind before sleep for both mental clarity and dream motivation ("I WILL ATTAIN LUCIDITY!").

Finally, mineral supplements. I know it's more a hormone than a mineral, but I used to be prescribed melatonin and I could get hold of it again, but going back and forward to doctors is so hassling. Instead, I'm looking into a combination of magnesium, tryptophan and zinc; used together, it's apparently known as "ZMT". I've read a few anecdotal reports of its effect on refreshing sleep and increased dream vividness. I know tryptophan's psychological effects on dreaming are disputed, but I have depression anyway, so it can't hurt. Despite living in the UK (things are difficult to get over the counter - no dangerous painkillers! Shock!) I'm still able to get hold of all three.

I suppose in summary what I'm asking here is one, do any of you have experiences to report on ZMT or any of its constituents, and two, what do you think of the combination of dream recall, meditation and mineral supplementation?

WILD is also something I'm looking into practising. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to reading responses...

Well, I don't have the answer but one thing you'll want to research is when the ideal time is to take those supplements. Might be during the day, before bed, or during WBTB. If it's WBTB, you'll want to plan accordingly.

And I think meditation is great for overall health and well-being, so you can't go wrong there.

Thanks for the reply, sisyphus.

I expect the morning would be best for minerals purely from a physiological point of view, being processed/metabolised through the body cycle of the day. However, taking tryptophan into account as well, and considering that magnesium and zinc may be more beneficial to cell development or something of the like and therefore when the body is asleep, perhaps just before bed is preferable. I'd go for consumption at night; I seem to remember the thread about "ZMT" stating that it was taken at night. Sorry, I tend to get wrapped up in pharmacology and physiology.

I'm not familiar with the term WBTB. What's that?

I still need to work on meditation as a separate task. I was interested in its purported benefits anyway, but I find it difficult when I'm stressed - which is too often.

On a side note, congratulations on your dream tasks... it sounds like you're making great progress! It's more than I've managed in years, anyway.

WBTB: WBTB - Wake Back To Bed - Dreamviews Lucid Dreaming Community & Resource

Basically, you wake up after about 4-6 hours of sleep, remain awake for 10-60 minutes, then return to sleep. The actual times will requires some experimentation. This period of wakefulness activates the logical parts of the mind and can dramatically improve the chances of a lucid dream when returning to sleep. Also, since it happens in the morning just before you longest REM periods, it's the ideal time to take any supplements that take effect very quickly.

Ah, I thought it sounded sort of familiar. I have read a bit about it. I already wake often during nights (I have very poor sleep patterns and sleep quality). I hadn't heard about the later morning's REM periods being longest, though. Is it proven? It would certainly explain my vivid dreams close to, or just before, waking.

For about the first 4 hours of sleep, REM periods are small and shallow. It's hardest to become lucid in those. Few people can even recall them. After that, REM periods become longer and dreams are more vivid and recall-able. You are most likely to have a DILD in those dreams. And techniques like WILD and DEILD will be more successful when they are timed to target those later REM periods.

Well I don't need citation for that. I can believe it by experience. It makes sense.

If anyone has any advice or info regarding the original matter, it would be much appreciated...