Exploring Adolescent Lucid Dreams: A Pathway to Learning, Growth, and Mental Well-Being

In addition to being aware of being in a dream, dreamers in a lucid dream can sometimes also intentionally execute predetermined actions and manipulate the dream’s narrative. These features open the opportunity to use lucid dreaming (LD) as a recreational, therapeutic and skill acquisition tool. This study conducted semi-structured interviews with nine adolescent lucid dreamers to gain insight into their LD experiences and the role these play in their waking lives. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed that LD provided participants with a space where they felt safe to explore movements and behaviours without the repercussions they would experience if they were awake. During LD they trained motor skills, addressed emotional conflicts, prepared for difficult waking life situations, and engaged in fun activities. These experiences promoted motor learning, self-efficacy, personal growth, and mental well-being. This study also highlighted that training motor skills in a lucid dream may at times heighten waking self-efficacy but not necessarily motor performance. LD brought participants a sense of freedom, liberation, and empowerment, alongside positive emotions, and a temporary release from the burdens of their waking lives. Advanced dream manipulation skills may not be mandatory for benefiting from LD, suggesting that LD may be a valuable tool for novice lucid dreamers and those with limited dream manipulation. Adolescence is a period marked by self-evaluations and the development of one’s own identity. LD may be a valuable tool to support these developmental processes and adolescents’ well-being.