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Last Updated on October 21, 2022 by The Unbounded Thinker
Dreams have been a source of fascination and mystery since the beginning. For centuries, people have interpreted the symbols and images in their dreams in an attempt to understand the hidden meaning behind them.
However, modern science has begun unlocking dreams’ secrets in recent years. And scientists have discovered that dreams can be instrumental in healing.
Lucid dreaming, in particular, prove to be an effective way to treat various mental and physical health conditions.
What is Lucid Dreaming?
A dreamer who is conscious of their dream is said to be in a lucid dream state. In contrast to regular dreams, which are often fragmentary and chaotic, lucid dreams are clear and vivid.
This heightened state of awareness allows the dreamer to take control of the dreamscape and use it to explore their deepest fears, desires, and emotions.
Healing Through Lucid Dreams
Lucid dreaming has been shown to offer a wide range of benefits for mental and physical health.
For instance, lucid dreaming has been used successfully to treat ailments like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and persistent pain.
Supporting Studies And Research
Swiss researcher, Dr. Hugo Heitz at the Zurich University Hospital, revealed that PTSD patients who underwent intensive therapy supplemented with lucid dreaming showed significant improvements in symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and insomnia.
The positive effects of lucid dreaming were so pronounced that many patients could completely stop taking their PTSD medication.
Likewise, research conducted by Harvard psychologist Deirdre Barrett has shown that lucid dreams help overcome writer’s block and Performance Anxiety Disorder (PAD).
In her research, Barrett discovered that those who regularly engaged in lucid dreaming could better face their fears and anxieties in a secure setting.
As a result, these individuals could better manage their stress levels and perform more effectively in their everyday lives.
How Can Dreams Help Us Heal From Trauma?
Our brains are literally overloaded with information after a traumatic event. And to protect us from reliving the trauma repeatedly, our brain will often suppress memories of the event.
However, this can lead to problems down the road because those memories can come back to haunt us in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts.
Actually, dreams can provide a safe and controlled environment for us to process these memories. In a process known as “lucid dreaming,” we can learn to control our dreams and use them as a tool for healing.
We can alter the dream environment when we are conscious that we are dreaming. This means we can confront our fears head-on and work through our trauma safely and healthily.
How Could Dreams Help Us Heal From Anxiety?
Like trauma, anxiety can lead to nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks. And just like with trauma, dreams can also help us heal from anxiety.
Lucid dreaming allows us to take control of our dreams and face our fears head-on. It’s a safe space where we can practice dealing with stressful situations without actually having to face them in real life. In fact, according to one study, lucid dreams are common in people with anxiety disorders.
How Can Dreams Help Us Heal From Depression?
Depression is another condition that can be helped by lucid dreaming. According to one study, depressed people are more likely to experience recurrent nightmares about past mistakes.
However, when those same people were taught how to lucid dream, they were able to take control of their nightmares and turn them into positive experiences.
They could also use their lucid dreams to rehearse future success scenarios, which helped them feel more confident and hopeful in real life.
We recommend you read how to lucid dreams without waking up.
Conclusion:
Dreams have always been a source of fascination and mystery. But now, modern science is beginning to unlock the secrets of dreaming, and scientists are discovering that dreams can actually be used as a tool for healing.
Lucid dreaming, in particular, has been shown to be an effective way to treat various mental and physical health conditions.
If you’re struggling with stress or anxiety or just looking for a way to boost your creativity, consider giving lucid dreaming a try—you may be surprised by the results!
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BYGEORGE KOURAKOS. KINDLY CHECK OUT HIS AMAZING BLOG ABOUT DREAMS AND MYTHS. IT IS INSIGHTFUL AND AWAKENING, SUITABLE FOR ANYONE HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE.
