Think I've finally discovered my dream sign.

[splodeymissile]

So, after months of looking through my dreams for potential signs, I think I've finally discovered one. I can't punch. Whenever I get angry in a non-lucid dream and I attempt to hit someone, my fist moves really slowly, as though I'm underwater or something. This is currently the only recurring element in my dreams, so it's the closest thing I have. The funny thing is, in reality, I don't think I have ever gotten angry enough to want to hit someone. So, I was wondering, for all you interpreters there, what do you thinks this means? I personally think it refers to my generally calm demeanor, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[blahaha]

lol I used to get that same exact thing, how weird. Try and punch someone and it's like being underwater. Never heard of anyone else experiencing that before. It could be because of your temperament, but I have another theory. If you have never done something in real life and try to do it in a dream anyways, your brain might not have enough data to properly simulate whatever it is, so it doesn't work right. It's like how when virgins try to get it on in a dream and almost always fail. The brain just doesn't know how to do it so it comes out all distorted. My $0.02 anyways.

[splodeymissile]

Maybe. But I've punched inanimate objects (though only as a kid) so I should have some general idea of how to punch someone. Either way, I'm thankful for it. Because otherwise I doubt I would have any dream signs.

[paigeyemps]

I agree with blahaha, it's a gpod point. I honestly dont really have any other idea why that is, but it's also the same as people who constantly can't run in dreams. For a time, i also was like this, when i try to run in dreams, i just move reeeally slow. Idk why it was like that though x) *moved to Dream Signs and Recall*

[Box77]

.../I honestly dont really have any other idea why that is, but it's also the same as people who constantly can't run in dreams. For a time, i also was like this, when i try to run in dreams, i just move reeeally slow/... Long ago, I got to think it had something to deal with the blankets. Perhaps the feeling of pressure they print on my body was translated into the dream as this difficult to run or move fast. Anyway, among others, I use this feeling as an unequivocal dreamsign.

[Nihal]

As a kid I had an incredible fierce character and I have very, very often hit people when I was angry. When I got older I've learned to control my anger, and even now I am fierce enough to easily hit people if I do not constrain myself. Yet in dreams, I am never able to punch people. Either you miss, or, like you describe it, your fist moves as if it's slow motion stuff. Many people I know have this problem in dreams; it's like not being able to run. But it is a good dream-sign, though.

[Pakman43]

Ah, the lead fists; my arched nemesis. I have had the same thing since I was very young. I have only had one or two dreams where I was able to punch normally. They were both lucid I believe. I was told it was a dream stability issue, similar to lead feet or dizziness. It takes really good dream control to fix it, and i personally found it hard to get rid of. try stabilizing techniques like rubbing your hands together, spinning around, falling over, focusing on something small. I just try to focus on the fact that I'm dreaming and I am in control. Of course you said this happens to you when you are not lucid. So I suppose it can also be a good dream sign.

[Lucidit]

In my dreams, whenever I'm in danger and try to run to escape, it's like I can't run normally (very heavy legs, or super tired or smth) or can't run at all... I just can't..

[~Dreamer~]

The same thing happens to me in dreams. Waking life has also called for me to throw a punch on 2 occasions, and strangely enough, it felt the same as in dreams - a heavy arm and full-on slow motion! I believe the reason for this in waking life has something to do with adrenaline altering our perception of time (called tachypsychia), which can make things appear to be moving in slow motion - there have been experiments to prove this. My theory is that the same applies to dreams, but I'm not sure whether it's genuinely an effect of adrenaline in dreams, or our brain simulating that response. I think LaBerge did studies that found actions in dreams can produce the same brain activity as doing them in waking life, but I'm not sure if that extends to hormones as well. It would be interesting to find out! By the way, I am not a naturally aggressive person at all, and it took a lot for me to revert to violence in waking life, so I imagine my adrenaline rush might have been a bit more extreme than someone who has a short temper and gets into fights all the time. Maybe it's the same for you in dreams, since it's not a common feeling for you in waking life. Dream sign wise, perhaps the feeling of anger could be a broader sign, if it doesn't happen often while you're awake. I always RC when I have strong negative emotions (anger, sadness, frustration, fear, regret, embarrassment,) because that happens in dreams much more often than in waking life for me. I have turned many nightmarish non-LDs into awesome lucids that way. Sometimes I stop arguing with enemy DCs mid-dream and give them a big hug instead before flying away, which I think is great for the psyche!

[splodeymissile]

I wonder how the DCs react? Surprised, I imagine.

[~Dreamer~]

When I calm down, the DCs tend to as well. But yes, they often seem a bit bewildered! I have also stayed and confronted some scary ones, asking them straight out what they represented (and they told me), and I even got one to drive me somewhere I wanted to go!

[splodeymissile]

More than what I've done. The only hostile DC I ever had in a lucid joined me in a hearty chuckle, once I became aware. Then, he vanished.