Dream Factory

Empathy

The Empathy Theory of Dreaming

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on October 13, 2022

Several papers over the past few years have demonstrated personal insight gains and social empathy boosts afforded by sharing and discussing dreams.

Several papers over the past few years have demonstrated personal insight gains and social empathy boosts afforded by sharing and discussing dreams.

Dreaming

Are Dreams Collected in a Sleep Lab "Normal"?

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on October 7, 2022

Observing dreams in the sleep lab seems to influence their content consistently. Could these lab dreams still reveal typical patterns of dream generation?

Observing dreams in the sleep lab seems to influence their content consistently. Could these lab dreams still reveal typical patterns of dream generation?

Dreaming

Dreaming of the Sleep Lab

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

What do participants dream about when they come into the sleep laboratory for experiments? It seems their dreams are wary of being observed.

What do participants dream about when they come into the sleep laboratory for experiments? It seems their dreams are wary of being observed.

Sleep

Why We Can Misperceive Being Awake or Asleep

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on June 25, 2022

Some people feel they hardly ever sleep, even though their sleep recording looks normal. This is the phenomenon of sleep misperception.

Some people feel they hardly ever sleep, even though their sleep recording looks normal. This is the phenomenon of sleep misperception.

Dreaming

How Do Dreams Change Throughout a Night of Sleep?

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on February 20, 2021

Many researchers believe that dreams offer a window into the functions of sleep, possibly revealing the types of information that are processed during sleep.

Many researchers believe that dreams offer a window into the functions of sleep, possibly revealing the types of information that are processed during sleep.

Dreaming

Scientists Can Communicate With Lucid Dreamers While They Sleep

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on February 18, 2021

Can we communicate with dreamers while they’re asleep and in their dream world? Can we ask questions about their dreams as they are occurring? Can we record dreams? Direct dreams?

Can we communicate with dreamers while they’re asleep and in their dream world? Can we ask questions about their dreams as they are occurring? Can we record dreams? Direct dreams?

VR training led to an increased incidence of lucid dreams, when combined with a classic lucid dream induction technique.

Dreaming

Lucid Dreaming Is Linked to Better Morning Mood

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

Besides being a treatment for nightmares, the experience of lucid dreams in general may be associated with better mood in the morning.

Besides being a treatment for nightmares, the experience of lucid dreams in general may be associated with better mood in the morning.

Dreaming

Flying Dreams Induced by Virtual Reality

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

A recent study aimed to induce flying dreams in participants through the use of a virtual reality flying task, and a subsequent nap in the sleep laboratory.

A recent study aimed to induce flying dreams in participants through the use of a virtual reality flying task, and a subsequent nap in the sleep laboratory.

Dreaming

Can You Recreate Real-World Scenes in Lucid Dreams?

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on September 25, 2020

In a recent study, participants were asked to study an experimental room, and they then attempted to recreate this experimental scene while in a lucid dream.

In a recent study, participants were asked to study an experimental room, and they then attempted to recreate this experimental scene while in a lucid dream.

Cars, driving, and transportation troubles are considered one of the most common dream themes universally, and a typical bad dream theme is of losing control of a vehicle.

Dreaming

How Lucid Dreamers Say They Control Their Dreams

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on June 25, 2020

A recent survey study reveals 5 types of strategies that lucid dreamers say they use to control their dreams.

A recent survey study reveals 5 types of strategies that lucid dreamers say they use to control their dreams.

Dreaming

Can Electrical Brain Stimulation Induce Lucid Dreams?

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on June 11, 2020

Scientists at the Dream and Nightmare Laboratory in Montreal test claims that applying electrical stimulation to the brain can increase the occurrence of lucid dreams.

Scientists at the Dream and Nightmare Laboratory in Montreal test claims that applying electrical stimulation to the brain can increase the occurrence of lucid dreams.

Sleep

How Studying Dreams Improves the Science of Sleep

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on March 31, 2020

Studying dreaming and subjective experience during sleep provides varied evidence of the ways in which sleep is a complex and diverse state.

Studying dreaming and subjective experience during sleep provides varied evidence of the ways in which sleep is a complex and diverse state.

A recent study provides evidence that auditory content is frequent in dream experiences, most commonly taking the form of hearing other characters speaking.

A pilot study shows how lucid dreaming impacts insomnia and mood symptoms.

Dreaming

False Awakenings in Lucid Dreamers

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

You wake up, get out of bed, and go about your routine, only to suddenly realize you're still dreaming. False awakenings can frustrate, but can also trigger lucid dreams.

You wake up, get out of bed, and go about your routine, only to suddenly realize you're still dreaming. False awakenings can frustrate, but can also trigger lucid dreams.

In the study, participants observed landscape images and recorded their dreams. Participants whose dreams related to the landscapes had better memory later.

In sleep paralysis, the false sense of a threatening presence is common. But this feeling also occurs in epilepsy, brain injury, and it can even be induced in healthy people. How?

Dreaming

Can Learning to Lucid Dream Promote Personal Growth?

Michelle Carr Ph.D. on June 29, 2019

One recent study explored whether lucid dreaming can promote personal growth, including enhanced creativity and self-esteem.

One recent study explored whether lucid dreaming can promote personal growth, including enhanced creativity and self-esteem.