Scientists create real life Inception style lucid dreams

A study has found that deliberate lucid dreams are possible with the application of specific frequency of electric current to the sleeper’s brain.

16:32 12 May 2014

Inception is the concept of entering the subconscious to plant ideas into people’s mind – a theme which was explored in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie. Now, a study claims that this concept of deliberately engaging lucid dreams is possible with the application of specific frequency of electric current to the sleeper’s brain. 

 

The study was participated in by 27 people with no previous experience of lucid dreaming over several nights. The researchers then applied a weak alternating electric current on the sleeper’s scalps after three minutes of uninterrupted Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. 

 

Volunteers have reported having lucid dreams just a few seconds after the brain stimulation. 

 

The team which led by Dr Ursula Voss, from the JW Goethe-University in Frankfurt, Germany, said that the concept can help people who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. 

 

Voss said: “Promoting gamma oscillations during REM sleep in post-traumatic stress disorder with re-emerging nightmares might trigger lucid dreaming and eventually enable active changes in dream content.”