Enjoy,
Lars
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Dreaming FAQ
Table of Contents:
1. General
1.1. Does everybody dream?
1.2. Why do we dream?
1.3. How can I increase my dream recall?
1.4. How do external stimuli affect my dreams?
1.5. Do substances like drugs, herbs and foods affect our dreams?
1.6. Is it possible to control your dreams?
1.7. Is sleep deprivation dangerous?
2. Dream interpretation and symbols
2.1. Can you interpret this dream for me?
2.2. What does this [symbol] mean?
2.3. Is this [dream scene] common?
2.4. Is there anything special about recurring dreams?
3. Sleep paralysis, walking and talking, night terrors, narcolepsy and
nightmares
3.1. What causes sleep paralysis?
3.2. What causes sleep walking?
3.3. What causes sleep talking?
3.4. What is night terrors?
3.5. What is narcolepsy?
3.6. What causes nightmares?
4. Paranormal issues
4.1. Can dreams predict the future?
4.2. Is it possible to share dreams?
4.3. Can I view distant locations from my dreams?
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-------1. General
1.1. Does everybody dream?Yes. All humans (and mammals) have REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Dreami=ngoccur mostly in REM-sleep. You start a new dream roughly every 90 minutethroughout the whole night will with increasing duration. But all this is= inconstant change depending on what you eat, if you are on drugs, or if youhave missed your REM sleep for some reason. People stopping with REMdeprivation drugs will experience a REM rebound. So you dream a lot durin=gthe night, and most of your dreams are forgotten. If you don't pay attent=ionto them and only sleep a few hours will you most like not remember any dr=eamat all. Dreaming in non-REM are more thought like.
1.2. Why do we dream?Dreaming is highly involved in learning and memory. If you have a terribl=eexperience one day, then that experience is digested in your dream. Mostlikely in a nightmare. Dreams are quite often a reflection of your daymemory. The protein-synthesis is highly active during REM, so if you want= tolearn, then staying in REM is a good move. REM is also necessary to suppl=ythe cornea with oxygen. Delta sleep, associated with large, slow brainwaves, is what most people call the deepest kind of sleep, when you arehardest to awaken. It is necessary for the brain/body to rest and heal. Agood balance between delta sleep and REM is important for learning. Growt=hhormones are also produced during delta sleep.
1.3. How can I increase my dream recall?Some people remember every dream they have others can't remember any drea=m.But with the right techniques and enough practice everyone can remembertheir dreams. The first step is paying attention to your dreams. Think ab=outthem. Write them down. Talk about them. Discuss them. Your best recall iswhen you wake up. So you should write them down or record them with a tap=erecorder right after you wake up. But spend some time recalling as manydreams you can before you start writing them down. Alarm clocks are dreamkillers, so stop using them. If you wake up naturally will you most likel=ywake up from REM sleep. So you should get to bed so early that you don'thave to use an alarm clock. You can still set the alarm clock, but make s=ureyou have gotten to bed so early that you wake up before the alarm clock g=oesoff. Sleeping longer will also make you dream more. You will almostliterally have continual REM sleep after 8-9 hours. If you sleep 9 hours =areyou almost bound to remember at least one dream. Waking up several timesduring the night may increase dream recall and possibly induce lucid drea=ms.Since dreaming has a lot to do with learning and memory should you try ne=wactivities and learn new things. This will increase dreaming and therebydream recall. Drugs, food and herbs may also affect your dream recall. An=das usual is the power of suggestion extremely powerful, so you should sta=te,aloud if you want, your intention to recall your dreams. Here is also whe=rehypnosis enter the picture. Listening to hypnotic tapes may help a lot. S=o Iwill create one shortly.
1.4. How do external stimuli affect my dreams?Your senses never rest. Whatever input you get from hearing, vision, smel=l,touch or taste may be incorporated into your dream. You may have dreamedthat your alarm clock is ringing in your dream, while it is really ringin=gin the physical world too. This is how lucid dreaming devices work. Theygive your signals as light or sounds that you have to train yourself torecognize. But it can go the other way around too. While lucid dreaming y=oucan command yourself to talk while dreaming. This way you can record yourdream while it is occurring. Having a tape recorder that turns it self onwhen you speak will come handy. You can also train yourself to move youreyes in a certain pattern.
1.5. Do substances like drugs, herbs and foods affect our dreams?Yes. During REM is the protein-synthesis highly active, so your body need=shigh levels of amino acids. The neurotransmitter in use during REM isAcetylcholine. It is made from the B-vitamin Choline and the vitamin B-5.
But there are more vitamins that can make us dream more. The body cansynthesis the B-vitamin Choline. But in order to do that does it needvitamin B-12, Folic acid (B-9), the amino acids Methionine and Serine.Vitamins B-12 plays a role in the activation of amino acids during protei=nformation. It has also the ability to increase the production ofAcetylcholine and normalize neurotransmissions in the brain.Vitamin B-6 is another important vitamin. It is a co-enzyme whichparticipates in over 60 enzymatic reactions involved in the metabolism ofamino acids.It is involved in the production of several body proteins andneurotransmitters.It is particularly indispensable to the action of amino acidneurotransmitters, like Serotonin, Dopamine, Melatonin, and Norepinephrin=e,which effect brain function.It is also involved in the metabolism of Selenium, Calcium, and Magnesium.Melatonin is a neurotransmitter/hormone that is only active during sleep.It is being metabolized when you fall asleep from Serotonin, aneurotransmitter that is being metabolized from the amino acid Tryptophan.Melatonin increase non-REM sleep and makes it easier for you to fall asle=ep.But it has also an interesting rebound effect that gives more frequent an=dvivid dreams. The vividness might even give you a lucid dream.The amino acid Tryptophan can be metabolized into Serotonin and Niacin(B-3). Vitamin B-6 promotes this conversion.Taking Niacin/Nicotine patches will increase the Serotonin production.The more Niacin you take, the more Serotonin is produced and more Melaton=inis metabolized. Calcium and Magnesium promotes Serotonin production.Zinc is in every cell of the body and is a part of over 200 enzymes, so Z=incsupplements may increase REM-sleep.DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is a very important B-vitamin. It flows easil=ythrough the brains blood barrier, where it is converted into Choline. Dur=ingREM is Choline added the coenzyme A (Vitamin B-5), and we haveAcetylcholine, the neurotransmitter in use during REM.5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-TryptoPhan) is a Serotonin precursor that also flow quit=eeasy through the brains blood barrier. A good alternative to Melatonin.Vitamin C helps metabolizing several amino acids and hormones.It is also important to have adequate levels of amino acids. A few import=antis Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Methionine, Cysteine, Serine and Tryptophan.Using Tobacco, Alcohol or Coffee prohibits the absorption necessary vitam=insand amino acids.Depressants suppress REM sleep, one is Alcohol, but taken in right doses =canit give a rebound effect so that will wake up remembering many vivid drea=ms.And anti-depressants may increase dream recall.Caffeine will make you sleep lighter, will increase your dreams recall an=dmaybe even give you a lucid dream. Herbs like Valerian, Mugwort, Mullein,Kava Kava, St. Johns Wort, Calea Zacatechichi, Salvia Divinorum, LicoriceRoot, Vervain, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Datura, Bee Pollen, Catnip, Hops,Scullcap, Lavender, Damiana, Withania Somnifera, Passionflower, Chamomile=,Cardamom, Gotu Kola, Ginkgo Biloba, Ibogaine, Verbena, Rose, Cinnamon,Marigold, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Holly, Yarrow and Anise may help you dreammore, recall more or even have a Lucid Dream. Make sure you know more abo=utthese herbs before you use them, some shall be used in pillows, some shal=lbe smoked, some shall be used in tea, etc. And finally do we havepsychedelic drugs like DXM that may induce Lucid Dreams. Crystals andMagnets may also affect your dreams.
1.6. Is it possible to control your dreams?Yes. If you are aware that you are dreaming can you develop full consciou=scontrol over the dream. This is one of the most exciting part aboutdreaming. But more on this will be discussed on the Lucid Dreaming FAQ. H=aveyou tried Virtual Reality? Well, VR is a flop compared to lucid dreaming.Things can't get more virtually real than in a lucid dream. You may use a=llyour senses in a lucid dream, yes, even your psychic senses!
1.7. Is sleep deprivation dangerous?Yes. REM deprivation:Increased frequency of occurrence, duration and intensity of REM.Increase in seizure threshold, & progressive rise in heart rate.Increased activity, food motivation and sexual behavior.No major emotional problems.Delta sleep-deprivation:Prolonged sleep deprivation (+48 hours) results in severe mentaldisturbance, attention deficit, withdrawing, visual complaints,hallucinations and time distortion. After 5 days may you end up in a ment=alinstitution.
2. Dream interpretation and symbols
2.1. Can you interpret this dream for me?As shown by Dream researcher Jon Tolaas, is day-memory often incorporatedinto the dream. Many times are negative, ambivalent or neutral eventsincorporated. It is difficult to answer why mostly negative events areincorporated, it may be that the negative events make stronger impression= onus. Or that not many positive events occur during the day. It may be thatthe brain is working on these negative events so that it may handle itbetter next time. The most qualified person to interpret your dream isyourself, you know all the details from the dream, you remember what you =didthe previous day and you know what your problems are. But dreaminterpretation isn't always that easy, if you fail to interpret your drea=mis it nice to know that there are many people on the internet that you ca=nturn to. A good place to start is posting your dream to alt.dreams. But s=itdown and think about your dream before doing so, try to find the meaning =andtry to think about what you have done the last few days. Sharing dreams w=ithothers are a great way of paying attention to your dreams. Writing themdown, reading others and discussing them will increase your dream recall.= Besure to include factors from your life that might be relevant to your dre=am,this may help on the interpretation.
2.2. What does this [symbol] mean?Symbols are one way of interpreting dreams. Researchers have tried to fin=d,for each common dream occurrence, a psychological situation that matches =thedream in some way and link it as a cause. A well-known example of thisapproach is Freud's interpretation. Asking for symbols allows for (someti=mestoo easy) interpretation of dreams by given rules. But this is aquestionably approach. Dream interpretation by catalog of symbols doesn'ttake into account individual differences between dreamers. You can imagin=ethis flaw by taking into account that the cultural background is animportant point that should not be neglected. Freud's theories, that givehigh importance to hidden signs of sexual desires, are based on a societythat has suppressed sexuality. And so on. In a more global context, askin=gfor special symbols is of dubious value. Nonetheless, in a certain givencontext, these symbols can have a valuable meaning.
2.3. Is this [dream scene] common?Probably so, one way of finding that out is posting your dream toalt.dreams. You might also stick around and see if other people post simi=lardreams. Or you might check the archive at www.dejanews.com. Maybe do asearch on a few keywords from your dreams.
2.4. Is there anything special about recurring dreams?Yes. If you have recurring patterns or themes in your dreams, then theydeserve special attention. They are a sign of thoughts that occupy thedreamer much, consciously or unconsciously. You should try to compare thecontext of your dream with your current life situation or problems. It ismost likely your subconscious that is trying to tell you something. Youshould try to figure out what the dream means and make some changes to yo=urlife.
3. Sleep paralysis, walking and talking, night terrors, narcolepsy andnightmares
3.1. What causes sleep paralysis?Your body is paralyzed during REM, your body can't even stand. (This is w=hysleep walking happen in other stages of sleep) Sometimes does the body fa=ilto turn on your muscles immediately after REM. Normally last this conditi=ononly a few seconds, but sometimes can it go on for minutes, which causes =avery scary feeling. But just remain calm, it will pass. And it is not theleast dangerous. You should also know that sleep paralysis is great forleaving your body. Again, leaving your body is not dangerous either.
3.2. What causes sleep walking?The body is paralyzed during REM, so sleep walking occur in other stages =ofsleep. It is quite common among children, and can be quite confusing if y=oufind yourself in other places than your bed when you wake up. People haveeven managed to lock themselves outside their own house. You can dream inother stages than REM, but these dreams are much less vivid.
3.3. What causes sleep talking?Your whole body is normally paralyzed during REM. Your senses remain acti=ve,and sometimes does it happen that you partly act out your dream. So you m=aytalk while sleeping if your muscles isn't fully paralyzed. We know that w=e can dream in non-REM sleep, maybe not as vivid, but enough to talk. Mostsleep talking occur in non-REM. In a Lucid Dream can you also commandyourself to talk while dreaming.
3.4. What is night terrors?Night terror is attacks that occur during non-REM sleep, they often invol=vemovement and screaming. They usually have no dream recall or recollection= ofthe experience. This is mostly experienced by young children, about 2% ofthem. It occur usually within two hours after going to bed. A good way ofrelieving you from these experiences is finding out when these terrorsoccurs, and then set the alarm clock to 15 minutes before the terrors sta=rt.Do this the rest of the night, for seven days. In most cases does theterrors stop. If they start again, then do the program once more.
3.5. What is narcolepsy?Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder with no known cause. Its onset canoccur at any time throughout life, but its peek onset is during the teenyears. The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelmin=gdaytime sleepiness, even after adequate nighttime sleep.A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, of=tenat inappropriate times and places. Daytime sleep attacks may occur with o=rwithout warning and may be irresistible. They may also experience periods= ofcatalepsy, temporary decrease or loss of muscle control, especially whengetting excited. Hypnagogic hallucinations; vivid, often frightening,dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or waking up.Sleep paralysis; temporary inability to talk or move when falling asleep =orwaking up. It may last a few seconds to minutes. In addition, nighttimesleep may be fragmented with frequent awakenings. Daytime sleepiness, sle=epparalysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations can also occur in people who do =nothave narcolepsy. If sufficiently troublesome can be reduced significantly= insome people with Tricyclic antidepressants (eg. Imipramine), which suppre=ssREM sleep.
3.6. What causes nightmares?Nightmares are a product of your fears. You will not have nightmares if y=oudon't have any fears. So find out what your fears are, and conquer them.Nightmares can also be an early symptom that a disease is developing or t=hatan attack is about to occur. If you are afraid of dying, then you shouldknow that a lot suggest that you have a life after death, and whenever yo=uwant can you return to the physical world, this is called reincarnation.Just study Ian Stevenson's work if you want scientific evidence on that. =Ifyou have other fears, like spiders. Then there is a few effective things =youcan do about that. We have virtual reality, but since we are dealing withdreaming here anyway is it better to bring up Lucid Dreaming. Whenever yo=uhave a nightmare should you try to visualize a different ending on thedream. By doing this may you experience that is a dream and we all know t=hatdreams aren't dangerous. When gained lucidity can you confront whatever i=sscaring you. Once that is done can you continue exploring the wonderfulworld of Lucid Dreaming.
4. Paranormal issues
4.1. Can dreams predict the future?Yes. This is done all the time. I guess you have experienced a deja-vu. M=ostchildren do. Some people do it all the time also as adults, and some haveeven gained control over this ability. You can from a Lucid Dream travel =intime. But this will be discussed in the Lucid Dreaming FAQ. If you are st=illdoubt that dreams can predict that future should you check out this site:www.psiresearch.orgThey are one of a few institutes that conduct scientific research on thisphenomenon. If you want to have precognitive dreams, then you should chec=kout the Lucid Dreaming FAQ. If you suspect that you have had a precogniti=vedream, you should write it down for later verification.
4.2. Is it possible to share dreams?Yes. Dreams can be shared and people may even have conversations with oth=erswith 100% accuracy. This is an interesting concept, and again should you =beLucid in order to make conscious contact with others in your dream. Manypeople experience similar dreams with friends or relatives. This is notuncommon either. Shared dreaming is also called mutually dreaming. Forevidence on shared dreaming check out this site: www.psiresearch.orgIf you want to learn how you can share a dream, then check out the LucidDreaming FAQ. If you suspect having a shared dream, then write it down fo=rlater comparing of notes.
4.2. Can I view distant locations from my dreams?Yes. But this is again called Remote Viewing, Out of Body Experience orAstral Projection. It is a good way of exploring the universe. You can le=aveyour body from a Lucid Dream or on the onset of sleep. How to leave yourbody from a dream will be discussed in the Lucid Dreaming FAQ. And you mi=ghtalso check out my Out of Body Experiences FAQ for more info on this. Agai=n,for scientific evidence on this check out: www.psiresearch.orgIf you suspect that you have seen a distant location, then you should wri=teit down when you wake up for later verification. Good Luck.
Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for any action you may take after readingthis FAQ.Copyright =A9 Lars Rune Foleide (larsrune@sf.telia.no) -1998