Exploring “lucid sleep” and altered states of consciousness during sleep using a mindfulness-based and visual stimulation protocol: a proof-of-concept study

The scientific study of lucid sleep (to retain critical self-awareness during ongoing sleep) has traditionally been focused on lucid dreaming and induction techniques primarily targeting REM sleep. Recently, there has been increasing interest in other forms of lucid sleep, such as certain episodes of sleep paralysis, out-of-body experiences reported during sleep, and episodes of “witnessing-sleep” as described by Indian philosophical traditions. However, empirical data on such states are sparse, partly due to the lack of specific induction techniques tailored for this purpose. In this study, we present preliminary findings from four individuals who reported different episodes of lucid sleep in a controlled laboratory environment. To facilitate these states, we developed a novel approach combining pre-sleep meditation and visual stimulation. The reported episodes include one case of lucid dreamless sleep, one out-of-body-like experience, and three different types of lucid dreams (hypnagogic, wake-initiated and dream-initiated). We monitored sleep using wearable EEG devices (Hypnodyne Zmax) and submental EMGs. Additionally, we examined the phenomenology of these episodes, which were either eye-signal verified or time-marked during periods scored as REM or non-REM sleep. Together, the lucid sleep episodes and induction protocol described here will assist forthcoming researchers in studying lucid sleep states and altered states of consciousness during sleep.