Tiesha Cooper Trinity Christian College Basic Research Skills Dr. King

Lucid Dreaming
Holzinger (2009), suggests that dreams have been a major importance to cultures throughout the ages. Native Americans viewed dreams as portals to the spirit world, paths to prophecy and quests. A common phenomenon states, there is an experience in which one is aware that one is dreaming and is able to control what happens in the dream. This experience is known as lucid dreaming. Aristotle may have been the first to write about lucid dreaming, although he did not have a term for it (Holzinger B. , 2009). And some Tibetan Buddhists have been practicing something like lucid dreaming for a long time. In Tibetan Buddhism, it was practiced as a form of yoga, called dream yoga, from the eighth century. The goal of dream yoga is to examine your consciousness and bring you to a constant state of awareness. A big part of the belief system of Buddhism is recognizing the world for what it is, free from deception. A lucid dreamer recognizes the dream world for what it is, a dream (Holzinger B. , 2009). A Dutch psychiatrist named Frederik van Eeden came up with the term for lucid dreams in 1913. He claimed that there are nine well-defined types of dreams in all, including ordinary, symbolic and vivid dreams. He recorded several of his own lucid dreams, and his thoughts during them and upon awakening. He remarked that they often involved flying (Holzinger B. , 2009).
Lucid dreaming is normally a rare experience. Though most people report having had a lucid dream at least once in their lives, only about 20% of the population reports having lucid dreams once a month or more (Bourke, 2014). It is speculated that Albert Einstein was a lucid dreamer. Although lucid dreaming was not officially categorized nor popularized until after his death, it is clear that he considered his internal dream world, and even used visualization techniques to arrive at some of his theories, including that of relativity. Post-mortem studies of his brain have revealed some interesting differences to the average brain (Stumbrys, 2010) .
It is hypothesized that people who have lucid dreams may generally be more insightful than other people. Bourke (2014) suggest, this may mean that lucid dreamers have insight into their current states. Also, his theory suggest that some people who engage in lucid dreaming are able to do so because they have a higher level of insight. “It is believed that for dreamers to become lucid while asleep, they must see past the overwhelming reality of their dream state, and recognize that they are dreaming" (p. 157). In other words, they pick up on inconsistencies in their dream that would not make sense if they were awake. In Dr. Bourke’s study, the team suggests that this ability could also be true in reality; lucid dreamers may possess cognitive intelligence that makes them better at problem-solving in the real world (Bourke, 2014). The aim of this study is to examine the physiological correlates of lucid dreaming.
This paper intends to examine the brain activity during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep of lucid dreaming verses non-lucid dreaming. With the purpose to understand that during lucidity certain areas of the brain is activated that is not in non-lucid REM sleep. In addition, it will explore the cognitive abilities/insightfulness of frequent lucid dreamers in comparison to non-lucid dreamers by measuring level of performance on problem solving test such as, the Stroop task and compound remote associate problem-solving task. Lastly, the conscious mind and self-awareness to access memories, perform actions, and to be aware while in lucidity.

Literature Review
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep The brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons that are constantly working creating energy by communicating through electrical signals. The electrical impulses created by your brain can be measured by an EEG (electroencephalography) machine as a wavelength from your head. Through this research, scientist have discovered the different frequencies of the brain. The four most common brainwave frequencies are beta, alpha, theta, and delta, each of these brainwaves serves a specific function. Brainwaves are measured in hertz, or cycles per second and, the slower the wave the calmer and relaxed your brain is. The higher the frequency the more active your brain is. Beta is the most common wave length associated with normal waking functions. When you are awake and your eyes are open, your brain is operating in the beta frequency. Beta rhythms occur in individuals who are alert and attentive to external stimuli. Beta also occur during deep sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep when the eyes switch back and forth. So, the beta wave represents arousal of the cortex to a higher state of alertness or tension. It may also be associated with remembering or retrieving memories (Dresler M., 2012).
Lucidity can generally be said to be associated with more beta-1 activity than non-lucid dreaming, with the differences in the parietal regions of the brain. Also, taking into account the hemispheric differences between lucid and non-lucid dreaming, the highest increase was found in the left parietal lobe. This area of the brain is considered to be related to semantic (pertaining to, or arising from the different meanings of words or other symbols) understanding and self-awareness (Holzinger B. L., 2006). Voss (2014), recent findings relates fronto-temporal gamma EEG activity to conscious awareness in dreams, but a definite relationship has not yet been established. Researchers found that current stimulation in the lower gamma band during REM sleep influences ongoing brain activity and influence self-reflective awareness in dreams.
In a research article by Dresler (2012), neuroimaging studies have shown that human REM sleep in lucidity is related to patterns of regional brain activity. “During lucid dreaming the bilateral precuneus, cuneus, parietal lobules, and prefrontal and occipito-temporal cortices activated strongly as compared with non-lucid REM sleep” (p.1017). These findings according to electroencephalography data relates lucid dreaming with the reactivation of several parts of the brain that are normally not active in REM sleep. The researchers suggest, this pattern can explain the recovery of metacognition (higher-order thinking that enables understanding, analysis, and control of one’s cognitive processes, especially when engaged in learning), the “hallmark” of lucid dreaming (p.1020).
In addition, the human brain is divided into two hemispheres. The right hemisphere is more active in REM sleep, during which dreams most often occur. For example, EEG activity and cerebral blood flow during REM are right-lateralized and, beginning with REM awakening, right hemisphere tasks are easier and the left hand (controlled by the right hemisphere) is more functional (Piller, 2009). Dumont, Braun, and Guimond (2007) noted that, while REM sleep may be correlated with right hemisphere activity, the location of dream-generating mechanisms is still unclear. Physiological research to date has not concluded results regarding the importance of the cerebral hemispheres to dreaming. However, a closer look at the phenomenal nature of lucid dreaming reveals several interesting connections.
Cognitive Abilities/Insightfulness
Part of the reason that some people experience frequent lucid dreams appears to be related to them having a particular cognitive strength in waking life. The most found to be true of these is the high level of performance by frequent lucid dreamers on cognitive tasks. This was first reported by Gackenbach, Heilman, Boyt, and LaBerge in1985 and later replicated by Patrick and Durndell in 2004 (Bourke, 2014). Blagrove, Bell, and Wilkinson (2010) explored the possibility that frequent lucid dreamers may have increased waking-life attentional abilities, compared with non-lucid dreamers as measured by performance on the Stroop task (in which the word and ink color are different).The results exhibited some indication that frequent lucid dreamers did perform better on the Stroop task than non-lucid dreamers. Bourke (2014) hypothesized that a key feature of gaining lucidity while in the dream state is insight (an understanding of relationships that sheds light on or helps solve a problem). In addition, compound remote associate task is designed to measure insight. In this type of test, subjects are presented with three words and asked to find a fourth one that forms a new compound word with each of the initial words. For example, the words age, mile, and sand, for which the solution is stone. Participants who frequently experienced lucid dreaming solved 25 per cent more of the word association problems than the non-lucid dreamers. The cognitive skill involved in solving this particular kind of problem has previously been linked to insight and creative problem-solving, leading the researchers to believe that the same processes which alert us to our dream-world help us make sense of reality when we are awake (Bourke, 2014).

Conscious Mind and Self-Awareness in Lucidity
Scientists in Germany have found which centers of the brain become active when we are aware of ourselves, this state is called, "metaconsciousness". Their study showed visible evidence of the neural networks that support the human conscious state. They identified them by comparing brain scans of a volunteer during lucid dreaming, to brain scans taken during normal dream states. The areas they pinpointed as the seat of meta-consciousness belong to a network in the outer layer (cortical) of the brain that includes the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the frontopolar regions and the precuneus. Some people can have episodes of self-awareness while they sleep and dream. These lucid dreamers are aware that they are dreaming, and are also able to control their dreams. During lucid dreaming episodes they can access their memories, perform actions and are aware of themselves, even though they are in a dream state and not awake (Dresler M., 2012).
Martin Dresler (2012) explains, “In a normal dream, we have a very basal consciousness, we experience perceptions and emotions but we are not aware that we are dreaming. It is only in a lucid dream that the dreamer gets a meta-insight into his or her state"(p. 1019).
The human capacity for self-perception, self-reflection and consciousness are unsolved mysteries of neuroscience. It is not easy to measure which parts of the brain help us do these things. When we are awake, we are self-aware, conscious of what we think and feel. But we cannot do this when we are asleep, unless we are in a state of lucid dreamiMethod

Method Choice
Method
In an attempt to answer the research question, an experimental design will be used. The aim of the study is to examine the physiological correlates of lucid dreaming. The nature of this study requires quantitative methods because the goal is to determine the relationship between neural correlates of lucidity by comparing lucid verses non-lucid rapid eye movement (REM) sleep using an electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will be attempting to discover the electrophysiological differences between lucid and non-lucid dreams, associated with higher frequencies in the EEG spectrum (i.e., the alpha or beta bands). This means that if these areas are considered by many scientists to be the seat of linguistic thought, as well as other higher mental functions associated with self-awareness then perhaps we can better understand differences in cognitive process across different people (Voss, 2009). Furthermore, this study aims to determine the relationship of brain activity to lucid dreamers in contrast to non-lucid dreamers, particularly the part that shows which areas of the brain become active when we become aware of ourselves in dreams.
Sampling
For the purpose of this study, half of the participants will be frequent lucid dreamers who report having two or more lucid dreams a week. The other half will be occasional lucid dreamers who report having at least one lucid dream a month or in their lives. Participants will be recruited by advertisement from the student population of Trinity Christian College via marketplace digest emails. In this email a short questionnaire will be included. The questionnaire will have specific detailed questions with the purpose of selecting the desired sample needed for this study. Though students would not be paid for participation, they will receive three free meals a day in the cafeteria for the semester. Potential participants have to meet the criteria of recalling dreams at least two times per week to be considered lucid dreamers. In addition, occasional lucid dreamers have to report having at least one lucid dream every three months. Both groups will report having normal or correct to normal vision, including not being color blind. Students will need to provide written consent to participate (Voss, 2009). On the basis of their reported frequency of lucid dreaming participants will be assigned to the following groups:
• Frequent lucid dreamers, having lucid dreams more than once per month (15 females, 15 males, age ranged from 18-65).
• Occasional lucid dreamers, having had at least one lucid dream in three months (15 females, 15males, age ranged from 18-65 years).
In all 60 subjects will be recruited and the study will take roughly over two months.
Materials
There will be the need for special tools and supplies in order to conduct this experiment. The researchers will investigate having these tools donated for the purpose of research or perhaps loaned or rented to the college for the duration of the study. These items include:
4(fMRI) machines
4 EEG machines
Procedure
The conduct of this study requires a controlled environment. Subjects will need to commit to participation in this controlled environment in order to conduct, polysomnographic recordings of them during sleep. These recordings would be performed on two consecutive nights in the nursing department simulation lab of Trinity Christian College. The subjects would have to commit to stay overnight; arrive at the sleep lab at 9 p.m.; bedtime; 10 p.m. Scalp EEG electrodes would be placed in 19 positions (10-20 system). Also, electrodes would be placed to monitor REM sleep during lucidity. This proposed method is suggested because it is more feasible to conduct this experiment in a controlled lab setting with the proper equipment to monitor the subjects. The polysomonographic recordings will measure the brain activity during REM sleep in a lucid state verses REM sleep in a non-lucid state of the participants. This experiment will observe four participants (two frequent lucid and two occasional lucid dreamers) per night for two consecutive nights, for four nights a week. The test days conclude observation at 6 a.m. to enable participants to prepare for class on the respected day or go about their activities of daily living.
Figure 1.provides a visual of the types of recordings the polysomonographic monitoring will reveal during REM sleep in lucidity.

F igure 2. REM sleep in non-lucid dreaming and electrode placement during sleep study. Figure 3. Displays increased awareness experienced when awake or lucidly dreaming is accompanied by an increase in activity of 40Hz brainwaves in the frontal lobes, compared to normal dreams. One particular region, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is thought to be particularly important in the higher states of consciousness (ref New Scientist 12 June 2010 and Sleep Vol 32 p1191). Figure 3. Mapping of 19 placement electrode and brain functioning (10-20) system.
Resources
The resources needed for this study: a 10 question questionnaire (each question is in a yes/no format, with a line for a description designated to elaborate on their answer). This questionnaire will aid the team in selecting as close as possible, appropriate participants for the study. The financial resource for this study will range roughly from 30-40 thousand dollars. Also, five experienced professionals in EEG and MRI monitoring, two research assistants, and simulation lab at Trinity Christian College, two MRI and EEG machines with the proper amount of supply to collect data.
Risk and IRB Considerations
In general, there are no risks associated with this study; EEG and MRI’s are noninvasive ways to monitor brain activity and waves. On the contrary, if selected participants have a history of claustrophobia, they will be informed that the MRI machine is a closed area inside the magnetic tube. Such participants may want to terminate their participation in the study. Furthermore, subjects who have any metallic materials under the skin such as pacemakers, artificial joints, surgical clips, etc. are excluded from the study because they risk displacement of materials. These questions will be incorporated in the online questionnaire. We will make every effort to maintain the privacy of your data. All of the information you will provide will be strictly confidential. Your completed questionnaire will be identified only by a numerical code, not your name. Your responses will not be released to anyone, other than the research team and regulatory agencies (e.g., Lucid Dream Institute, Psychology Today, Sleep Journal, etc.).
Conclusion
It is suggested that the resting brain during sleep is awake in lucid dreaming. Lucid dream frequency is also positively related to one's search for controlling situations from waking life (Holzinger B. L., 2006), and related to higher levels of 'need for cognition than people who have never experienced a lucid dream before (Blagrove, 2010). These results suggests a connection between waking and dreaming cognition. The aim of this study was to examine the physiological correlates of lucid dreaming by monitoring the brain’s activity in REM sleep.

References
Blagrove, M. B. (2010). Association of Lucid Dreaming Frequency With Stroop Task Performance. Dreaming, 20 (10), 280-287.
Bourke, P. (2014). Spontaneous Lucid Dreaming Frequency and Waking Insight. Dreaming, 24 (2) 152-159.
Dresler M., W. R. (2012). Neural Correlates of Dream Lucidity Obtained from Contrasting Lucid versus Non-Lucid REM Sleep A Combined EEG/fMRI Case Study. Sleep, 35 (7), 1017-1020.
Dumont, M. B. (2007). Dreaming and Unilateral Brain Lesions: A Multiple Lesion Case Analysis. Dreaming, 4 (8), 20-34.
Holzinger, B. (2009). Lucid dreaming – dreams of clarity. Contemporary Hypnosis (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), 6 (2), 216-224.
Holzinger, B. L. (2006). Psychophysiological Correlates of Lucid Dreaming. Dreaming, 10 (4), 88-95.
Neider, M. P.-S. (2011). Lucid Dreaming and Ventromedial Versus Dorsolateral Prefrontal Task Performance. Consciousness & Cognition, 16 (5), 234-244.
Piller, R. (2009). Cerebral Specializat During Lucid Dreaming A Right Hemisphere Hypothesis. Dreaming, 12 (8), 273-286.
Schredl, M. &. (2004). Lucid dreaming frequency and personality. Personality & Individual Differences, 37 (7), 1463-1473.
Stumbrys, T. &. (2010). An exploratory study of creative problem solving in lucid dreams: Preliminary findings and methodological considerations. International Journal of Dream Research, 3 (2), 121-129.
Voss, U., P. R. (2009). Lucid Dreaming: A State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming. Sleep, 15 (7), 1191-1200.
Voss, U. H.-G. (2014). Induction of Self awareness in Dreams through Frontal Low Current Stimulation of Gamma Activity. Nature Neuroscience, 20 (3), 810-812.