Exploring the effects of galantamine paired with meditation and dream reliving on recalled dreams: Toward an integrated protocol for lucid dream induction and nightmare resolution

Conscious Cogn. 2018 Aug:63:74-88. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2018.05.012. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Abstract

An experimental home study examined the impact of a pre-sleep protocol for enhancing self-awareness, lucidity, and responsiveness in dreams. It included ingesting the cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine--which is widely reported to increase the frequency of lucid dreaming--prior to engaging in middle-of-the-night meditation and the imaginary reliving of a distressing dream while exercising new responses. Thirty-five participants completed an eight-night study, which included pre- and post-baseline nights and six conditions: waking for 40 min before returning to bed, called Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB); Wake-Back-to-Bed plus placebo (WBTB + P); Wake-Back-to-Bed plus galantamine (WBTB + G); meditation and dream reliving (MDR); meditation and dream reliving plus placebo (MDR + P); and meditation and dream reliving plus galantamine (MDR + G). The outcome measures included lucidity, reflectiveness, interactive behavior, role change, constructive action, and fear and threat, as measured by the participants' self-ratings. The results support the use of this protocol in further studies of lucid dream induction and nightmare/trauma resolution.

Keywords: Dream reliving; Galantamine; Lucid dream; Meditation; Trauma resolution.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Awareness / drug effects
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Dreams / drug effects*
  • Dreams / psychology
  • Galantamine / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meditation*
  • Mental Recall / drug effects*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Galantamine