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kazarnowicz65 karma

At least two persons have asked about the safety. Your answers claim that there are no dangers. However, science seems to disagree on this point, either saying that signs point to some dangers, or that it cannot be answered yet.

Here are a few:

Given the circumstances surrounding lucid dreaming, and the experience that people have with it, it is only natural to wonder whether it could affect sleep quality. While there is not currently a clear cut answer to this question, it is reasonable to deduce from current research that lucid dreaming could have a negative effect on sleep quality.  (source)

Sleep Foundation:

Some researchers argue that creating lucid dreams intentionally blurs the lines between dreaming and reality, and that this can have negative implications for one’s long-term mental health. Lucid dream therapy has shown to be largely ineffective for some groups, such as people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

[…]

Some researchers have introduced another problem with lucid dreams: they are potentially disruptive to sleep. Since lucid dreams are associated with higher levels of brain activity, it has been suggested these dreams can decrease sleep quality and have a negative effect on sleep hygiene. Frequent lucid dreams6 could potentially restructure the sleeper’s sleep-wake cycle, which in turn may affect emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and other aspects of day-to-day life linked to sleep health. (source)

A study on sleep fragmentation and lucid dreaming:

Results partly confirm an association between sleep fragmentation and lucid dreaming. (source)

What are your academic qualifications? Sleep is one of the most fundamental health-issues facing the western world right now, and connected to both mental health issues and physical diseases like cancer. Since you're intent on downplaying the risks of lucid dreaming, and there are academic sources countering your statement, I think you'd benefit from clarifying this.

kazarnowicz19 karma

“Star Maker” is perhaps one of the most influential books I’ve read. And I didn’t really understand it at the time, it took a year or more to integrate it.

Having had life-changing experiences with both Ayahuasca, LSD, and mushrooms, I’m also a huge proponent of psychedelic assisted therapy.

This AMA made me happy, because I’ve loved Dr. Bronner’s soaps ever since my boyfriend introduced me to them, and while I’ve always believed that the ethos behind the brand is real, it’s amazing to see it in practice like this.

People like you strengthen my hope for humanity.

kazarnowicz18 karma

So on one hand, I have several credible sources that raise questions. We also have the issue that we know nothing about why we sleep. We have hypotheses, but neither of them are complete. What we do know is that sleep is not like a bank account, where you can deposit a little extra one night and then run a deficit the next. It’s more akin to breathing. Sleep deprivation is so potentially dangerous that the Guinness book of records has stopped recognizing attempts at breaking the world record, currently held by a man who many years later has a horrible insomnia that they suspect is connected to him going without sleep for 11 days as a teen.

We also strongly suspect that dreams are involved in memory processing and formation. We have no idea how activating a part of your brain affects you in the long term, and there are more signs pointing to “in a bad way” than “in a good”

On the other, I have some random dude who’s advocating for lucid dreaming (and profiting from this) who discredits credible sources by claiming the sources studied the wrong thing. Someone who refuses to state any academic credentials, and claims that there is no harm in tinkering with this very fundamental process in our brains.

Look, I’m all for going psychonauting, whether that is through meditation, art, mind-altering substances, or mind-altering processes. I do a lot of this myself, and I practice some real dangerous shit. Even meditation can be dangerous (something that isn’t talked about, but there’s a great piece on it in Harper’s: https://t.co/S4M5ZnL2Mt)

That is what makes me skeptical of your answers, since you have made this your livelihood. Your business would be devastated if studies showed catastrophic results of lucid dreaming after a long period. The fact that you refuse to acknowledge that there could be some danger here, that we’re in fact taking conscious control of a process that interacts with the subconscious tells me that you know way too little about the brain to give any advice, and I hope that the readers of this AMA take your answers with this in mind.

kazarnowicz9 karma

Two questions: What's the oddest or weirdest flavor of aquavit you've tried (or made)?

Is there any flavoring that you thought sounded good in theory, but turned out to be a disaster in practice?

kazarnowicz7 karma

I still have my pair (although using them today is a pain in the ass, especially without a PC) and you're entirely right: the only really feature on them was the handsfree camera. Everything else was just annoying and cumbersome.