Lucidity in dreams proposal 3
- 1. University of Puerto Rico Biology Department Cayey, Puerto Rico A Study of Lucid Dreams: The Effects on the Depressive Mind Juan Enrique Maldonado Weng Biology Laboratory 3009 Prof. E. Llera Santos RISE- Summer Bridge
- 2. Abstract Introduction In this experiment, a number of Lucid dreams has been an people suffering depression will be used incredibly large field of study with many to find a way to treat their conditions. questions still left unanswered. Having The experimental treatment consists of lucidity in dreams is having a strong utilizing lucid dreams. There is an control over how a dream would established relationship between the progress. The challenge of experiencing depressive state of mind and a this type of dream state is the fact of recurrence of nightmares. Since the consciously realizing that one is in a ability of obtaining lucidity gives the sleep paralysis, which tends to happen patient the ability to change the course during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) of the dream, the patient should be able stage of sleep. To explore these newly to alter the nightmare into a more created worlds is an opportunity to peaceful dream. Once being able to explore one's thoughts, one's imagination reach lucidity in their dream state, the and, even, one's own sub-conscious. expected outcome is that those suffering With this opportunity, many will be able depression will be able to obtain better to encounter their inner most fear, and sleeping patterns and, as a result, treat with this encounter, be able to overcome their own depression. The subjects will their own oppressive fear. Many could be taught the effective methods of use this way of dreaming to understand reaching lucidity and will be using the themselves better to then improve. methods for a period of three months. Incredible amounts of opportunities can Any behavioral changes will be noted arise from sleeping and achieving and compared. After the three months, lucidity. the subjects will be evaluated for any Hypothesis improvements in terms of sleep, Since there is a connection behavior, and mood. The expected between depression and wellness of results would be an improvement in the sleep, a possibility arises for many. By patients behavioral patterns, and a improving sleep, patients will be able to continuation of studies into this field of treat themselves of their depressive state. treatment. While being able to control their dreams,
- 3. patients will be capable to alter their on lucidity or effects differently on the dreams, resulting in better sleep and patients. The group C will rely on anti- improving changes in mood during the depressants as a treatment and will act as day. Lucid dreaming is an effective way a control group. The group D will be of improving the behavior of patients testing if lucid dreams can have positive that are suffering from depressive effects even without signs of depression. symptoms. The subjects will be studied for a Methodology period of three months. The reason for For this experiment, twenty-four this amount of time is the probability of subjects will be utilized. These subjects a lucid dream occurring. A better range will require to be at their mid-twenties. can compensate for the probability of Half of all the subjects will be comprised having low amounts of occurrences. by men and the other, by women. Diagnosed Receive Lucidity Maintain regular Eighteen of the twenty-four must be Groups with MDD Training Medication diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder A Yes Yes No B Yes Yes Yes (MDD) and it's symptoms. These C Yes No Yes requirements are necessary because a D No Yes No majority of the severe cases of MDD The methods that are going to be occur for people between the ages of utilized and taught to the subjects are the twenty to thirty. "MILD" technique and the "Early The acquirement of the subjects Morning Nap" Technique. The will be under their own consent, as long Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams as they are able to make their own (MILD) utilizes memory to help the choices. subject realize he or she is in a dream, These subjects will be divided making the event a lucid dream. The into four groups, all comprised of six MILD technique helps with the members. The group A will test to see if recognitive functions. The other with lucid dreaming can they treat their technique, the "Early Morning Nap", depression without help of their anti- helps the subject have more dreams, depressants. The group B will test to see therefore giving more chances for the if anti-depressants will have any effect subject to achieve lucidity. This
- 4. technique makes the subject wake up mood and behavior has been improved sixty minutes earlier than usual and or worsen. makes them wakeful, then makes them Conclusion take a morning nap. This compels the In the end of the experiment, the brain to become lucid in dreams. expected findings would prove to find a After training the subjects to better way to treat depression and to help achieve lucidity, they will be tested for those who suffer from it. The study of lucidity with EEG's and MRI's. The dreams is a very big field with limitless brainwaves should show a sense of possibilities on what can be achieved movement even when asleep. with them. Dreams should gather After each patient is positive for broader attention from researchers to being able to reach lucidity, each patient expand the knowledge of what is known. will be sent home with enough copies of More experiments should be conducted a form called "Dream Log". The form to see if it has more health benefits. they will be filling out each morning, As the late great musician, John after each morning nap, will record the Lennon, famously sang: "You may data of the patient's dream patterns. The say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only form also asks about the mood that the one." We all have dreams, so let's subject had during the day, but this is to explore them! be answered during the end of the patient's day. The subjects will be sent home during the length of study because to be proven useful, the subject must have their regular routine and normal surroundings. After the three months, subjects will be called in to see how they have progressed. The "Dream logs" will be collected and analyzed. The data will be compared between all the groups. The patients will be evaluated to see if their
- 5. References: Hollon,S., Micheal E. Thase, and John C. Markowitz. 2002. Treatment and Prevention of Depression. Vol.3, No.2. Page 68 Armenian Medical Network. Major Depressive Disorder http://www.health.am/psy/major-depressive-disorder/#ixzz1zzw420QK Planck Gesellschaft, M. Scientists measure dream content for the first time: Dreams activate the brain in a similar way to real actions. ScienceDaily. 2011. http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2011/10/111028113626.htm LaBerge, S. & Levitan, L. 2004. Lucid Dreaming FAQ. Version 2.3,2003 http://lucidity.com/LucidDreamingFAQ.html LaBerge, S., Lucid Dreams. 2000. Pages 3-11 Bernert, R., Thomas E. Joiner Jr, Kelly C. Cukrowicz, Norman B. Schmidt, and Barry Krakow. 2005 Suicidality and Sleep Disturbances. Vol. 28, No. 9. Pages 1135-1140. http://www.journalsleep.org/Articles/280917.pdf Spoormaker, V., and Jan van den Bout. 2005. Lucid Dreaming Treatment for Nightmares: A Pilot-Study. Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University. Page 152-154. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17053341 Susan Blackmore. Conversations on Consciousness. Oxford University. Interview with Stephen LaBerge. Pages 137-148.
- 6. Attachments HOJA DE CONSENTIMIENTO INFORMADO A Study of Lucid Dreams: The Effect on the Depressive Mind Descripción Usted está invitado a participar en un proyecto de investigación sobre los efectos de sueños lucidos en los pacientes de depression. Este proyecto es realizado por Juan Enrique Maldonado Weng, P.I. El propósito de este estudio es encontrar un mejor tratamiento para la depression. Como parte de la investigación se le requerirá participar en un entrenamiento para obtener sueños lucidos y llenar un formulario ("Dream Log") cada dia para tres meses. El participar en este estudio le tomará aproximadamente tres meses. Riesgos y beneficios Los riesgos asociados con este estudio son el desuso del medicamento recetado y quiza sufrir de algunas sintomas del depression. El beneficio esperado de esta investigación es poder utilizar los suenos como un medio de tratar las sintomas. Derechos Si ha leído este documento y ha decidido participar, por favor entienda que su participación es voluntaria y que usted tiene derecho a abstenerse de participar o retirarse del estudio en cualquier momento, sin ninguna penalidad. También tiene el derecho a no contestar alguna pregunta en particular. También tiene derecho a recibir una copia de este documento. Confidencialidad Se mantendrá confidencialidad con su participación al completar este cuestionario. Toda la información permanecerá almacenada por un promedio de tres años en la universidad de Puerto Rico, recinto de Cayey. Luego de estos tres años estos documentos serán destruidos con una trituradora de papel. Si tiene alguna pregunta o queja, por favor comuníquese con Juan Enrique Maldonado Weng al 787-555- 4038 o con el Dr. Wilfredo Resto, Coordinador IRB, Teléfono 787-738-2161, Ext. 2706 ó 2578. En caso de emergencias debe llamar al 787-555-4038 ___________________________ ___________________________ _________________ Nombre del participante Firma Fecha He discutido el contenido de esta Hoja de Consentimiento con el arriba firmante. Le he explicado los riegos y beneficios del estudio. ___________________________ __________________________ _________________ Nombre del investigador Firma Fecha o persona designada La Carta Circular 5-2001-2002 del Departamento de Educación, inciso d, y la Recomendación de la División Legal del Departamento de Educación del 7 de noviembre de 2005, nos requiere incluir la siguiente cláusula: Se releva al Departamento d e Educación de toda responsabilidad por cualquier reclamación que pueda surgir como consecuencia de las activid ades del estudio y de la información que se solicite y provea a través de las mismas.