Dreaming has been a part of human existence for centuries, and its potential for growth, insight, and healing has been long celebrated by cultures around the globe.
From the ancient Greeks who believed dreams could herald the future to the Romans who viewed them as messages from their gods – it seems like dreams have always been a part of our lives.
So if you’re interested in experiencing deeper dream states and unlocking your inner visionary – this post is for you! Here we’ll talk about 3 natural herbs you can use to get a jump start on your journey into lucid dreaming.
What Causes Lucid Dreaming?
Lucid dreams are when you are experiencing a vivid visualization while sleeping and are completely aware you’re dreaming. According to some sources, lucid dreams most commonly happen in REM sleep, roughly 90 minutes after falling asleep, lasting about 10 minutes.
While neuroscientists don’t fully understand the phenomenon, there are various methods to increase the likelihood of experiencing a lucid dream, including:
- Keeping a dream diary – actively keeping a log of your dreams
- Wake-back-to-bed – waking up in the middle of the night, remaining awake, and falling back to sleep
- Using plants – taking an herb before falling asleep
Can Herbs Help Lucid Dreaming?
The 3 herbs we’ve chosen have a long history of helping people enter REM sleep and inducing lucid dreams. Everyone is different, so we highly recommend trying a combination of methods to put your body in the best possible position!
For example:
- using a blend of herbs
- consistently keeping a dream diary
- monitoring results
3 Natural Herbs Used for Lucid Dreaming
Now, with the ever-growing knowledge and appreciation of natural medicine, people are beginning to tap into this incredible tool to increase their lucid dreaming experience.
Through herbal remedies and other holistic practices, we can gain greater understanding and control of our dreams in order to maximize the potential benefits they can bring us! Here are the top 3 natural herbs used for lucid dreaming capabilities.
The Dream Herb – Calea zacatechichi
Indigenous people in South America, including Chontal Maya, have used the flowering shrub called Calea zacatechichi to induce lucid dreams and hallucinations.
Anecdotal accounts suggest that taking the herb can improve your ability to:
- Control dreams
- Make them more vivid and longer lasting
- Remember your dreams
- Help you understand the deeper meaning of your dreams
You can enjoy the effects of Calea zacaechich by smoking it or making tea. The herb is legal to purchase in all states except Louisiana.
The African Dream Herb
African dream root, or Silene undulata, is native to the Eastern Cape of South America and has been used by the Xhosa and Zulu peoples to treat medical conditions and produce realistic, lucid dreams. Experts believe compounds called triterpene saponins are responsible for the herb’s dream-inducing effects.
You can find African dream root in 3 forms:
- its natural state
- as a powder made from the ground-up root
- capsules containing the powder
You can purchase African dream root online and in health food stores. Most people mix the powder vigorously in a glass of water, creating a foaming, herbal drink.
Ancient Dream Tea – Mugwort
Modern herbalists recommend performing a dream ritual to create the ideal environment for lucid dreaming. The practice can include making a dream altar, keeping a dream journal, and drinking dream tea.
While many herbs such as chamomile, valerian root, lavender, and passionflower are commonly used in sleepy time tea blends, mugwort is thought to be the herb for lucid dreaming.
Also known as the ‘visionary herb,’ mugwort can be added to a tea, taken in a tincture, smoked, or placed near your bed while you sleep.
Tips for getting the most out of your lucid dreams
First things first, lucid dreaming is all about maintaining a strong belief that you have the ability to control your dreams and recognizing when you’re dreaming. This may seem simple, but it can be difficult to train your mind to do so.
- Regularly ask yourself throughout the day whether you’re dreaming or not. Eventually, your brain will start questioning your reality in your dreams as well
- Keep a dream journal and recording realistic goals for lucid dreams can help strengthen the belief that lucid dreaming is achievable
- Finally, it’s important not to get too caught up in trying to lucid dream every night. Instead, relax and let them come naturally – they tend to occur during periods of more intense REM sleep
So next time you find yourself lucidly flying through the sky or exploring new worlds, enjoy the adventure! (Bonus: incorporating meditation into your pre-bed routine can also increase lucid dreaming.) Happy dreaming!
“The world could be anything, you know, it could be a solid-state matrix of some sort. It could be an illusion. It could be a dream. I mean, it really could be a dream.” – Terrence Mckenna
The potential risks associated with lucid dreaming and how to avoid them
So you’ve learned how to lucid dream and now you’re ready to explore the world of your subconscious… hold up just one second. While lucid dreaming can be a fun and exciting experience, it’s important to remember that there are also potential risks involved.
First off, lucid dreams can sometimes blur the line between reality and fantasy, leading to confusion upon waking up.
Additionally, if lucid dreaming is not approached with caution and care, it could lead to sleep deprivation or disturb the natural sleep cycle.
So what can you do to avoid these risks?
- Make sure to set boundaries for yourself within the dream world
- Keep a note of your intentions before going to bed
- Stay conscious of your physical environment and make sure to have regular wake-up calls during lucid dreaming sessions
- Most importantly, listen to your own intuition: if something feels wrong or uncomfortable in the dream, don’t hesitate to wake yourself up
Trippy Takeaway
Looking inward while you are sleeping is a therapeutic experience that can have a dramatic effect on your everyday life. While we highly suggest trying these 3 herbs for lucid dreaming, creating the environment to maximize REM sleep and vivid dreaming you will remember is a process.
