Thread: Questions; I have them.

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

A) Alcohol, does it influence LD positively or neg ? or does it depend from person to person ?

From what I've read, alcohol suppresses REM sleep, which explains why too much alcohol will often leave you feeling groggy (no pun intended) the next morning.

From http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-...ices_part2.htm

Because alcohol is a depressant that relaxes the brain, it can make it easier to fall asleep. Nonetheless, alcohol can make sleep lighter and more fragmented for it suppresses deep sleep and dream sleep by impairing the functioning of the sleep system. As a result, we are more likely to awaken feeling unrefreshed. Alcohol also disturbs sleep because, as it is metabolized during sleep, it produces mild withdrawal symptoms that cause sleep to become interrupted, shortened, and fragmented. These disruptions result in lighter sleep and more awakenings, particularly in the early morning. Alcohol also exacerbates snoring and sleep apnea because it relaxes the muscles in the throat.

__________

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

B) Same for cigarettes

From http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-...ices_part2.htm

The effects of nicotine are similar to caffeine and include faster brain waves, heart rate, breathing rate, and increased stress hormones. These stimulant effects, which last for several hours after smoking a cigarette, can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Smokers will have the greatest beneficial effect on sleep if they stop smoking altogether. Numerous studies have shown that, when smokers quit, they sleep better in spite of temporary withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and headaches, which can last for about ten days. Once the withdrawal symptoms end, sleep improves even more dramatically.

__________

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

C) Same for weed

From http://www.lycaeum.org/drugwar/marij3.html

THC does not differ from conventional hypnotics in reducing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (136). THC in doses ranging from 61 to 258 ug/kg produces in normal subjects increments in stage 4 sleep and decrements in REM sleep, but without the characteristic REM rebound which follows chronic treatment with hypnotics. When THC was administered p.o. as a solution in doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg, our subjects fell asleep faster after having mood alterations consistent with a "high." Some degree of "hangover" the day following was noted from larger doses (42). Another sleep laboratory study showed that a dose of 20 mg of THC given p.o. decreased REM sleep. After four to six nights of use, abrupt discontinuation of THC produced mild insomnia but not marked REM rebound (52). REM rebound may not be apparent after low doses of THC. However, very high doses (70 to 210 mg) reduced REM sleep during treatment and were followed by marked REM rebound after withdrawal (48).

__________

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

D) Same for MDMA

From http://www.springerlink.com/content/65qh84644q5435r2/

Abuse of stimulant drugs invariably leads to a disruption in sleep-wake patterns by virtue of the arousing and sleep-preventing effects of these drugs. Certain stimulants, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), may also have the potential to produce persistent alterations in circadian regulation and sleep because they can be neurotoxic toward brain monoaminergic neurons involved in normal sleep regulation. In particular, MDMA has been found to damage brain serotonin (5-HT) neurons in a variety of animal species, including nonhuman primates, with growing evidence that humans are also susceptible to MDMA-induced brain 5-HT neurotoxicity. 5-HT is an important modulator of sleep and circadian rhythms and, therefore, individuals who sustain MDMA-induced 5-HT neurotoxicity may be at risk for developing chronic abnormalities in sleep and circadian patterns.

__________

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

E) I can't find a very good body-related Reality-Check. Finger-through palm doesn't feel natural and I don't really get that ?
I thought maybe, this bracelet I have and never ever take off, use that for an RC ? Thing is i think it might easily transfer to my dream, since i never take it off... Also thought of biting my tongue, but that might end up wrong lolz.

One of my favorite RCs is one in which I plug my nose and attempt to breath. In waking life, it's impossible for me to breath. However, in a dream environment (one in which everything is being created by my brain, and therefore isn't real) I can breath.

You mentioned that the finger through palm RC doesn't feel natural, care to elaborate a bit? What about it doesn't feel natural?

Anyway, hope that this helps some.

first off big thank you for that one.

as for the FTP doesn't feel natural. I don't even know what that RC is about ? is it like, you try to push your finger through your palm and in a dream that works ? if it's that, what doesn't feel natural is i don't feel like i can imagine my finger going through, so i'm like, that could happen in a dream (not going through) just because i don't believe it can go through.

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

first off big thank you for that one.

as for the FTP doesn't feel natural. I don't even know what that RC is about ? is it like, you try to push your finger through your palm and in a dream that works ? if it's that, what doesn't feel natural is i don't feel like i can imagine my finger going through, so i'm like, that could happen in a dream (not going through) just because i don't believe it can go through.

Ah, I see what you mean. I think the important thing to remember is that since you're in a dream nothing is real, so there's absolutely no reason that your finger can't go through your palm. In waking life you can't push your finger through your palm because there is skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and other tissues blocking your fingers path. However, in a dream both your palm and your finger don't exist, so there are no bones, muscles, tendons, skin, etc. blocking your finger's path. You don't need to imagine your finger going through your palm, you need to recognize the fact that there is no finger or palm.

Ooo. nice feeling more natural about it now

Alcohol effects my sleep and dream recall greatly.

Ciggarettes don't really do much. Maybe put me to sleep a bit faster? It's neautral for me.

Smoking pot doesn't effect my sleep or dream recall at all. In fact, it increases it for me.

in the 2 years I've smoked ciggs I've only dreamt maybe 8 times a month on average... since I've quit I've dreamt every night. weed... I'm not sure, it puts me to sleep easier though. and as far as mdma... I don't think I could sleep.

yaaaay, a "waking life" (your pic) lover. that movie is awsummmmm keep in touch if u wanna discuss it

Weed WILL decrease dream recall. I smoke alot of weed, every day. When i stop smoking for a whole day, the following night i always have clear and vivid dreams. I tested it and proved this to be true for MYSELF.

great ! thx for tha help everyone

Originally Posted by LostKiddo

A) Alcohol, does it influence LD positively or neg ? or does it depend from person to person ?

I've actually had quite a few LDs the day after I went out drinking, when I'm lying on the couch feeling sorry for myself.

Originally Posted by Elem3nt0

Weed WILL decrease dream recall. I smoke alot of weed, every day. When i stop smoking for a whole day, the following night i always have clear and vivid dreams. I tested it and proved this to be true for MYSELF.

hate to say it, but i agree. everyday smoker here, also. i'll defend weed until i'm blue in the face, but this does seem to be the case. in this place. and also in outer space.