Lucid Dream Nightmares
People often talk about the fun and beautiful aspects of lucid dreaming. Lucid dreamers can control the dream content and do exciting activities like flying and visiting exotic destinations. But what about the dark side of lucid nightmares?
A nightmare is a scary dream that can range from mildly upsetting to terrifying. Just like in a lucid dream, when you’re having a lucid nightmare you’re aware that you’re in a dream and having a nightmare. Experiencing a lucid nightmare can be unsettling, especially because it feels too real. You might also find it hard to control or escape from the nightmare.
The key to dealing with lucid dream nightmares is to first understand them. Here, you’ll learn what lucid nightmares are, why you might be having them, the main contributing factors, and how to work with them. We also answer some frequently asked questions to clear up any confusion and doubts.
What Are Lucid Nightmares?
A lucid nightmare is a vivid and distressing dream where the dreamer knows they are dreaming. The nightmares usually involve terrifying figures and horrible situations. Some dreamers report being able to feel pain in their lucid dreaming nightmares.
One of the best things about lucid dreams is that you can control and change aspects of your dream. Lucid dreamers can easily escape a scary lucid dream to a place of safety. But in many cases, the dreamer might find themselves unable to change the dream, escape, or even wake up.
Just like regular nightmares, lucid dream nightmares can be mildly unpleasant or very disturbing and frustrating.
What Causes Lucid Nightmares
There is a lot of mystery surrounding dreams and nightmares. Most of the dreams you remember occur during the REM stage of sleep. This is also the sleep stage in which nightmares commonly occur.
Lucid dreaming happens when you gain awareness while in the dream state.
Nightmares, in general, can occur for several reasons. These include irregular sleep patterns, sleep paralysis, certain medications, stress, PTSD, and mental health issues.
Lucid nightmares are a combination of the two phenomena. You gain lucidity while having a nightmare and you become aware that you’re in a dream.
In a study to find out the relationship between lucid dreaming and personality, it was determined that there is a correlation between lucid dreaming and nightmares. According to the study, nightmares can trigger lucidity among lucid dreamers leading to lucid nightmares.
A lucid dream can also turn into a lucid nightmare. Sometimes, when dreamers are trying to lucid dream they may experience sleep paralysis, which can be scary. Others react with fear. All these situations can become unpleasant for the dreamer.
Effects of Lucid Nightmares
Many lucid dreamers don’t mind lucid nightmares. But for others, they can cause fear and anxiety.
One lucid dreamer shared their lucid nightmare experience in the Reddit lucid dreaming community. The lucid nightmares were so upsetting that the dreamer was afraid to go to sleep. A situation like this can greatly interfere with your sleep pattern, mental health, and daily life.
Nightmares while lucid dreaming can hinder you from sleeping properly. You might wake up tired and in an irritable mood. In extreme cases, it may lead to serious problems like depression.
Lucid nightmares can also stop people from exploring lucid dreaming altogether. Beginners might be too scared by the first sign of a lucid nightmare to want to go further.
That said, lucid dreaming nightmares don’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, there’s a chance that lucid dreaming can be used to treat nightmare disorder.
What to Do When You’re Having a Lucid Nightmare
Many people, especially new lucid dream practitioners, respond with fear and panic when they encounter a lucid nightmare. The next time you find yourself having a lucid dream nightmare, here’s what you can do.
First, recognize and acknowledge that you’re in a dream. Perform a state test like attempting to fly or levitate. Be aware that it is a dream, that dreams are safe. Notice that you are inhabiting the space of your mind.
Relax by slowly, calmly breathing and relaxing any tension. You can remain still until the lucid nightmare passes. (Even though it doesn’t seem like it, they usually don’t last more than a few moments.)
Once sufficiently calm, we advise lucid dreamers to confront their fears. If being chased by a monster, turn around and examine the monster with an open mind. Oftentimes, this act alone is enough to dissolve any fear.
What you encounter in your dreams is part of your mind. By exploring even the scary aspects of a dream, you're effectively working with all corners of your subconscious. As a result, lucid dreamers who examine their fears often find a corresponding fearless and openness in the waking world.
We highly recommend keeping a dream journal and recording your dream encounters. Watch out for any recurring themes and reflect on them. See if there’s something you need to address. This curiosity could also replace the fear you feel when you have a lucid nightmare.
Seeking Professional Help for Severe Anxiety, PTSD, and Nightmares
Lucid dream nightmares are harmless most of the time. But if your lucid nightmares are frequent and starting to interfere with your sleep quality, you might want to see a professional.
Some lucid dreamers report being upset to the point of crying when they wake up or being afraid to go to sleep. If your situation is this extreme, then it’s best to talk to someone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lucid Dreams Nightmares
Can You Have a Nightmare While Lucid Dreaming?
Yes, you can have a nightmare while lucid dreaming. It’s called a lucid nightmare. Research shows that there could be a correlation between lucid dreaming and nightmares. So lucid dreamers might be more likely to have nightmares.
What Triggers Lucid Nightmares?
It’s unclear what exactly triggers nightmares, including lucid nightmares. Some common causes are irregular sleep, drugs and substances, stress, and PTSD. Regular nightmares are also likely to trigger lucidity leading to lucid nightmares. Additionally, occasional nightmares are normal.
Why Are My Lucid Dreams Terrifying?
Lucid dreams can open the door to confronting buried emotional issues. These layered issues or fears can manifest in scary ways in your lucid dreams. That’s why it helps to welcome your lucid nightmares and try to learn more about them.
Can You Get Hurt in a Lucid Nightmare?
You can’t get physically hurt in a lucid nightmare because your body is paralyzed, unable to act out the dream. However, dreams are real in the sense that they are part of your experience and leave a lasting imprint. If you're experiencing fear and anxiety in the dreamworld, that fear and anxiety is likely to carry over to waking life. (Similarly, overcoming fear in dreams leads to fearlessness in waking life.)
Summary
Lucid dream nightmares are common and most lucid dreamers will experience them at some point. The nightmares can range from unpleasant to horrifying. The cause of lucid nightmares is still unclear. However, regular nightmares are often the result of stress, PTSD, certain drugs, and poor sleep.
If you find yourself having a nightmare while lucid dreaming, try to response with peacefulness and an open mind. Breathe calmly. Be still and soft. Allow the dreamworld to shift. You could also confront the lucid nightmare by walking towards the danger instead of from it. Consider seeing a professional if your lucid nightmares persist or interfere with sleep and daily life.
Remember that lucid dreaming offers a way to learn more about yourself. Embracing your lucid nightmares can offer an opportunity to heal and open the mind.
