Thread: Stop what you're doing.

I don't know if anyone remembers me but I came here a couple years ago trying to achieve lucidity. It fucked me up. I advise everyone to stop, it messes with your perception of reality. I achieved 100% control to the point where I sometimes couldn't tell what's real and what's not. Sure you might think, "oh I'll be able to know if im dreaming or not!", but after every single dream feels real, you begin to wonder if what you're doing will have you waking up 5 seconds later or embarrassing yourself or even worse injuring yourself. I have constant feelings of deja vu, I used to be afraid of public speaking, and I thought, maybe if I can achieve lucidity I can practice and maybe get over it, but now it comes to the point where I don't even care anymore.

I'm sincerely sorry that you had such a bad time with lucidity but I (and many others) have been having lucid dreams for years and don't suffer any "ill effects" because of it. This may be more of a "personal" issue.
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...I think you may be "whacked".

Exactly as clarity said, just because you have experienI do know that what you're experiencing could be caused by LD activities mixced this, doesn't mean its the same for everyone else. Several friends of mine have been doing this for over 10 years, with no effects like that. Don't scare other people out of it because you had bad experiences. I'm sorry to hear about it. You should really talk to a medical professional about this, there may be a way to fix it.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had a constant feeling of not knowing what reality was back when was doing a LOT of marijuana and mushrooms also while working on LDs/OBEs. I eventually got back to normal, and I think you will too.

You have to remember that dreaming is another state of counsciousness and there are things that are definitely apropriate in one and not in the other. Distinguishing the two is the whole point of lucid dreaming, it's not to blend them together until where you can't tell the two apart. If you can't tell if you're dreaming or awake, it's probably safer to not jump out a window, kill someone, or do something stupid.. given everyone is different, and i've never known anyone who hasn't been enlightened by lucid dreaming.. maybe lucid dreaming is just not for you.
but thanks for sharing your experience.

Yeah, we'd better stop, people, so that we don't become madmen.

Wrong.

Originally Posted by fourspiralarms

Distinguishing the two is the whole point of lucid dreaming, it's not to blend them together until where you can't tell the two apart.

Exactly: Non-lucid dreaming is the dream state that you unquestionably confuse with reality.

If you can't tell if you're dreaming or awake, it's probably safer to not jump out a window, kill someone, or do something stupid...

And I'll take that to its logical conclusion and point out that if you can't tell reality from dreaming then - by definition - you aren't lucid dreaming.

Originally Posted by Kid-Lucid

I don't know if anyone remembers me but I came here a couple years ago trying to achieve lucidity. It fucked me up. I advise everyone to stop, it messes with your perception of reality. I achieved 100% control to the point where I sometimes couldn't tell what's real and what's not. Sure you might think, "oh I'll be able to know if im dreaming or not!", but after every single dream feels real, you begin to wonder if what you're doing will have you waking up 5 seconds later or embarrassing yourself or even worse injuring yourself. I have constant feelings of deja vu, I used to be afraid of public speaking, and I thought, maybe if I can achieve lucidity I can practice and maybe get over it, but now it comes to the point where I don't even care anymore.

Hmm You know what. I half agree and half disagree of you:

YES, Lucid Dreaming makes you seriously question reality. And YES it does ALTER you perception of Reality, but I wouldn't say it "messes it up" That's your interpretation of it.
And it's not a bad thing to question Reality in waking life too. Lucid Dreaming really does teach you you can never be certain that you are awake.

However a simple Reality Check should give you the answer. And even if Waking and Dream Reality are hard to distinguish: does that really matter?
Whenever I feel strange or see something strange I do a Reality Check and that proves me either right or wrong. I don't see how you could lose touch with reality due to lucid Dreaming. In my experience I've become more oberserving and sharp in waking life which lead me to notice the smallest details of life which I previously overlooked. I can only enjoy my new perception of Reality.

Altered perception isn't messed up perception. And my new found waking life-Lucidity has only lead me to see Reality much clearer and more detailed visually, emotionally and in every other way. I'd say my perception is enhanced and sharper instead of messed up. But if this new, hypervigilant, clearminded state of perception is alien to you, and you kind of fear the unknown cuz it MIGHT be negative, then this state of perception may freak you out and thus you interpret it as messed up.

I have experienced the same altered perception as you have onnly I enjoy it where you fear it.

That was strange. I've never seen a post like that on dreamviews. I don't quite know what to make of it.

I had the sam premonitional fear before I dove into Lucid Dreaming, however I took the jump anyway.

It has not altered my perception of reality, it is always extremely easy for me to tell when my conscious mind isn't totally submerged with my subconscious.

However this does not go to discredit your personal situation, but I would eximplify that you came about it in a more level-headed warning matter, over threatening.

dude just hold your nose and try to breathe, try to read the same words over and over or try putting your finger through your hand...theyre called RCs and you dont have to jump from a 4 story building to see if you're dreaming, i mean what the hell is your reality check shooting yourself???? jeeeez just get a quiet and small RC and problem solved

My dad's friend's daughter (who is schitzophrenic) tried lucid dreaming and couldn't tell dreams from reality. But like I said before it depends on the person.

are you on any drugs? pot brownies or alchohol perhaps?

use reality checks.

Thank you for sharing your story but I have to agree with some people that you may be experiencing this because of an existing psychological/mental problem.

Originally Posted by Kid-Lucid

I achieved 100% control to the point where I sometimes couldn't tell what's real and what's not.

Thanks for sharing your concerns Kid-Lucid. It sounds like you have been going through a lot, and I understand your concerns. Would you be willing to share the techniques you used to achieve 100% control of your dreams? In addition to helping someone else avoid the same pitfall that happened to you, it might also offer some insight into why you became so successful at this, which turned out to be a bad thing for you? Maybe then someone could offer some advise to you on how to undo some of the unwanted success you've achieved. Thanks.

Originally Posted by iadr

Thanks for sharing your concerns Kid-Lucid. It sounds like you have been going through a lot, and I understand your concerns. Would you be willing to share the techniques you used to achieve 100% control of your dreams? In addition to helping someone else avoid the same pitfall that happened to you, it might also offer some insight into why you became so successful at this, which turned out to be a bad thing for you? Maybe then someone could offer some advise to you on how to undo some of the unwanted success you've achieved. Thanks.

LOOL Just admit you want to know how to have it as well!

Originally Posted by Kid-Lucid

I don't know if anyone remembers me but I came here a couple years ago trying to achieve lucidity. It fucked me up. I advise everyone to stop, it messes with your perception of reality. I achieved 100% control to the point where I sometimes couldn't tell what's real and what's not. Sure you might think, "oh I'll be able to know if im dreaming or not!", but after every single dream feels real, you begin to wonder if what you're doing will have you waking up 5 seconds later or embarrassing yourself or even worse injuring yourself. I have constant feelings of deja vu, I used to be afraid of public speaking, and I thought, maybe if I can achieve lucidity I can practice and maybe get over it, but now it comes to the point where I don't even care anymore.

I want that. It has broadened my perception, I can now appreciate the beauty or complete lunacy of my dreams. It gives me ideas for artwork and stories.

If anything I feel happier in dreams than I do in RL. I felt like RL was just a dream...then I would be happy.

Offtopic:Weelilhazel your an Elfen Lied fan?

i've gone through this before, it's naturally. It should wear off and you should 'get used to it' in the sense that even if you can't tell what's real and whatnot - you will know for sure, even if it seems 'surreal' or like a dream when you are awake.

Hey - your concern is appreciated and your warning is here for all to consider.

As has been said very well already, you ended up having a problem with LDing. I'm very sorry about that. With the vast number of lucid dreamers we have here though, and you being probably the first coming back reporting problems in the time I've been here, that would seem to indicate you are an exception.

I had constant LDs as a child, though I didn't understand what was going on. If it was going to hurt me, it would have happened before I ever got here, I think.

I understand the spirit of the warning - that it is out of genuine concern. Thank you for that.

Of course, there is an easy way to make sure you really are dreaming. Just pinch yourself. Problem solved

Actually you will feel the pain in dreams and reality


And kid-lucid either needs professionla help or is trying to scare us

Originally Posted by tiddlywink101

Actually you will feel the pain in dreams and reality


And kid-lucid either needs professionla help or is trying to scare us

I never did. Other sensations yes, but not pain.

Well I guess it is different from person to person, but it is still not a reliable reality check