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Is lucid dreaming scary?
Are there any essential things you need to know, before start practicing it?
Lucid dreaming means that you know you are dreaming, while still being in the dream.
It is an incredible skill that a lot of people want to learn, and for a good reason – lucid dreaming holds tons of benefits. However, what about the dangers?
And let’s get back to an essential question, which is –
Is lucid dreaming scary?
Lucid dreaming is not scary. However, while lucid dreaming, there are certain scary things that you can experience, including – false awakenings, sleep paralysis, seeing scary things, or a lucid dream nightmare.
In this article, we will observe each of these scary things that is possible to experience, during a lucid dream, plus some commonly asked questions.
We will go through:
- Lucid dreaming and false awakenings
- Lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis
- Lucid dreaming and seeing scary things
- Lucid dreaming and a lucid dream nightmare
- Is lucid dreaming scary: FAQ
1. Lucid dreaming and false awakenings
A false awakening is a convincing dream where you think you are waking up. However, in reality – you are still in a dream, sleeping!
It is a strange phenomenon, that’s pretty common, and it happens to a lot of us.
Have you ever woken up in your bed, got up, brushed your teeth, started to eat breakfast, only to then wake up for real and realize that you were in a dream?
This is not scary. However, if it happens over, and over, and over again… it might get a little frightening.
You may feel stuck inside the dream world, and think that there is no way out.
Just then, it starts to get scary.
However, know that this is not possible, and you cannot get stuck inside a lucid dream or even a typical dream.
Specific methods can help you to recognize if you have a false awakening loop. You can find more about that here:
2. Lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis
A lot of people think that sleep paralysis is something very creepy.
Some don’t want to try lucid dreaming, just because of sleep paralysis.
However, sleep paralysis doesn’t always mean that you will encounter something scary and frightening.
It is POSSIBLE to be creepy, but there is no guarantee. Plus, if you know how to react at this moment, you won’t come across something terrifying.
Sleep paralysis is a normal process that happens to everyone; it gets a bit uncomfortable if your mind wakes up from sleep paralysis, but your body is still asleep.
I know it sounds weird. But that’s the easiest way to explain it.
The point is NOT to freak out, even if you see scary visuals – they can appear, but know that they AREN’T real.
Additionally, there are ways that can help you to wake up and STOP a sleep paralysis episode.
And if you want to try to lucid dream, certain techniques shouldn’t involve sleep paralysis at all.
Find more about these two things here:
3. Lucid dreaming and seeing scary things
Let’s imagine you watch a lot of scary movies, or you play a lot of games, that includes some violence.
Or you’ve witnessed a situation in which someone is severely injured.
Though very unlikely, it is POSSIBLE to recreate some of these troublesome situations in your dreaming mind.
Recreating such things can be scary and not that comfortable.
But, it is a rare situation, and it depends on the state of mind you are presently in. (more about that below)
By working on your your lucid dreaming skills, and improving them, you will be able to change the unpleasant lucid dreams you have, with positive and good ones.
4. Lucid dreaming and a lucid dream nightmare
Lucid nightmares are possible, and they can be indeed scary.
Even if you know that you are dreaming, it gets frightening once you lose entirely the control (and possibly the awareness) of the lucid dream.
You may encounter a scary figure, like a monster. It can also be a frightening situation, like falling from a building or being in a rough sea.
You might feel like this figure, or the situation is truly hurting you, and to feel hopeless. It is possible to be very realistic.
Lucid dream nightmares might appear if you feel stressed, in a negative mental state.
Certain methods can help you to prevent lucid nightmares. The most important ones you should start are:
- practicing mindfulness – this will lower the stress in your life, and you will feel more in peace (you NEED to be consistent, and do it daily)
- learning how to perform reality checks in your dreams, so you are aware and in control when a lucid nightmare happens
- remind yourself that it is just a dream and that you are safe
- wake up from the lucid nightmare by doing technique №6
From there, you can use some of these 7 strategies that will guide you on how to overcome and STOP lucid dream nightmares.
Is lucid dreaming scary: FAQ
Is it dangerous to lucid dream?
No – even if you experience any of these scary situations, lucid dreaming is not dangerous.
If you do it with the right mindset, you can obtain fantastic benefits and improve the quality of your life.
Related post: 13 Amazing Lucid Dream Benefits
Can you get stuck in a lucid dream?
You may FEEL stuck in a lucid dream. But your feelings are not always reality.
You will eventually wake up; just don’t focus on the negative, scary feeling of being trapped inside the dream world.
Focusing and thinking about this will just make it worse.
Feeling stuck in a dream is one thing, but in reality – you can’t get stuck.
Why are my lucid dreams scary?
If you experience mainly scary lucid dreams, remember that lucid dreaming is connected with the state of mind you are presently in.
If you are in a stressed or negative mental state, that can explain a lot why you experience such dreams.
Additionally, dreams respond to emotion and expectation.
If you are calm, your dream will remain calm. If you expect something to happen, the dream will likely make it come true.
So, if you often have scary lucid dreams, it might be because you expect something bad to happen to you.
What happens if you have a lucid nightmare?
You may lose the lucidity and control over the dream (if you had in the beginning, before the nightmare).
You may feel completely dreadful, not knowing what to do. You can even think that you are “stuck” inside the dream.
However, remember that it is just a dream.
You can evoke awakening by changing your breathing pattern as much as possible and keep changing it.
For example, take one deep breath, followed by three short ones, and then a medium one.
Then, choose a different pattern. Confused by the perception of your unusual breathing, your brain will wake you up.
How do you stop scary lucid dreams?
First off, avoid scary stimulations such as scary movies or violent games.
Second, try to reduce the worrying situations in your life – this might be hard if you have a stressful job or if you are dealing with people that are stressing you out.
That’s why you should create a relaxing night-time routine.
It can consist of stretching and yoga, mindfulness (breathing exercises), drinking a cup of relaxing tea, etc.
This doesn’t have to take hours – you can do everything in 20 minutes or so.
Third, remind yourself that you are safe. If you focus on the idea of staying calm, so will the dream.
For more ideas on how to stop scary lucid dreams and nightmares, check these strategies.
What should you not do in a lucid dream?
If you want to avoid lucid dream nightmares, DO NOT IMAGINE, and don’t try to see scary things.
Don’t think about scary and negative things, because your subconscious mind knows your deepest fears.
If you focus and the thing about scary things inside your dream… things might turn out ugly.
Click here to find a detailed list with 15 specific actions that it’s best to avoid in your lucid dreams.
Is lucid dreaming fun?
Lucid dreaming is indeed fun. It can be exciting, engaging, entertaining, too! All you need to do is to focus on these feelings and emotions.
Expect something good to happen to you. Imagine fun activities and situations, and you for sure experience fantastic lucid dreams.
Conclusion
Lucid dreaming CAN be scary at times.
But if you sleep well, have positive expectations and emotions about the dream – you will have an amazing lucid dream.
I don’t want to repeat myself, but I will, since the essential part to remember it that –
Lucid dreaming is connected with the state of mind you are presently in.
If you are calm, in peace, and you want to experiment with lucid dreaming, to experience some of the fantastic benefits, then you shouldn’t worry about the risks and scary things.
If you still feel concerned, you can check the following article, where I covered a few more lucid dream “dangers”:
If you want to learn how to lucid dream FAST, read the following tutorials:
