Thread: Gaming + Lucid dreaming = Bad ?

Hi there to those who are reading this, would just like to know if gaming alot throughout the holidays, and after school sometimes can have a negative effect on my ability to lucid dream, seeing as i game alot and when playing games for long periods of time i enjoy myself alot but lose track of the time because im having so much fun meaning in turn i can often go for like 2 hours or more without paying any attention to my surroundings and environment asking if its a dream or not which is then followed up by a few thorough reality checks. Would it be best to stay away from gaming for a bit or reduce my gaming time for learning how to lucid dream or are there things i can do to stop getting distracted or sucked into the game easily if you'd like ? Also i play split screen and often have my friend in my room playing with me so that often puts me off doing reality checks aha as i cant focus fully on the questions :L

Would be nice to hear your guys opinions and thoughts

Thanks in advanced!

I read on -Did You Know Gaming?- That gaming helps people lucid dream. But what do they know? they are gamers. My friend, when you get advice from someone, make sure you have tried things your own ways first. Everyone is Different. A very (very) Basic example; Some people find it easier to WILD than to MILD.
In case you hadn't known, MILD = Mnemonically Induced Lucid Dream and WILD = Wake Induced Lucid Dream. A more advanced Example would be; Some people find it easier to lie on their back when doing WILD than they do with MILD. Anyhoot, enough with my examples on differences, I can say i have had a dream or two about video games. I assume you have heard of Minecraft? i had one where i was being stalked by HeroBrine. (Herobrine is a minecraft legend. They say in each update changelog that they have removed him. Isn't that strange?)

Originally Posted by Tradl3s

I read on -Did You Know Gaming?- That gaming helps people lucid dream. But what do they know? they are gamers. My friend, when you get advice from someone, make sure you have tried things your own ways first. Everyone is Different. A very (very) Basic example; Some people find it easier to WILD than to MILD.
In case you hadn't known, MILD = Mnemonically Induced Lucid Dream and WILD = Wake Induced Lucid Dream. A more advanced Example would be; Some people find it easier to lie on their back when doing WILD than they do with MILD. Anyhoot, enough with my examples on differences, I can say i have had a dream or two about video games. I assume you have heard of Minecraft? i had one where i was being stalked by HeroBrine. (Herobrine is a minecraft legend. They say in each update changelog that they have removed him. Isn't that strange?)

Hmm to think gaming helps, thats interesting and the complete opposite of what i thought lol. Yeah ive come across this multiple times that every person is different so there is no set guidelines as to how to guarantee getting a lucid dream in a set period of time. About WILD and MILD i use MILD every night before i go to sleep to get the extra boost, although WILD has shown no sign of co-operating with me as the urge to swallow is too much *sigh.. but less of that. Yeah i know plenty about minecraft for sure and about the whole herobrine thing, they say they remove him although its just to make people think what your thinking "isnt that strange" thanks for the post !

Originally Posted by Scoobymenace

Hmm to think gaming helps, thats interesting and the complete opposite of what i thought lol. Yeah ive come across this multiple times that every person is different so there is no set guidelines as to how to guarantee getting a lucid dream in a set period of time. About WILD and MILD i use MILD every night before i go to sleep to get the extra boost, although WILD has shown no sign of co-operating with me as the urge to swallow is too much *sigh.. but less of that. Yeah i know plenty about minecraft for sure and about the whole herobrine thing, they say they remove him although its just to make people think what your thinking "isnt that strange" thanks for the post !

Im sorry, but i must ask how you manage to do MILD before you go to sleep? From what i have heard, You are suppossed to wake up from a dream (about five hours into sleep), and then think about the dream for 20 minutes, making yourself realise the dream in the process, and then you will realise it when you dream it again. This wouldn't work before bed because your mind wouldn't be in enough of a low frequency.

Originally Posted by Tradl3s

Im sorry, but i must ask how you manage to do MILD before you go to sleep? From what i have heard, You are suppossed to wake up from a dream (about five hours into sleep), and then think about the dream for 20 minutes, making yourself realise the dream in the process, and then you will realise it when you dream it again. This wouldn't work before bed because your mind wouldn't be in enough of a low frequency.

Mild is any mnemonic induced lucid dream. This includes things like meditating, mantras, visualization, or RCs. I normally do my mantra and visualization before I go to bed and at each subsequent awakening (about every hour past 3 hours of sleep). Different things work for different people, but I like to visualize my previous dream and "say" my mantra "I am dreaming" for about 10 minutes before I sleep. Then when I awake, I take the dream that I was just in and do it to it as well. Being able to transmit an idea to your subconscious takes practice and practice. I would recommend this guide for MILD:
http://www.dreamviews.com/attaining-...technique.html

Not exactly what I do, but you will never LD exactly like someone else. You must find your own path.

Some people get inspired by video games and have vivid dreams about what they play at the moment. If you think about it, you could during game ask yourself if you really in the dream and do a few RCs, that nobody will notice. Like "if this is a dream, instead of desert eagle I'm holding AK-47." Or something similar.

You could try for a few weeks to cut down on game time. Instead, practice LDing, read up on techniques, get insipred by reading the forum and dream journals. If you feel like it, start some simple basic meditation. Then compare with time when you only game.

Originally Posted by gab

Some people get inspired by video games and have vivid dreams about what they play at the moment. If you think about it, you could during game ask yourself if you really in the dream and do a few RCs, that nobody will notice. Like "if this is a dream, instead of desert eagle I'm holding AK-47." Or something similar.

You could try for a few weeks to cut down on game time. Instead, practice LDing, read up on techniques, get insipred by reading the forum and dream journals. If you feel like it, start some simple basic meditation. Then compare with time when you only game.

That first part is the best idea ever since inception invented the dream totem.

Originally Posted by gab

Some people get inspired by video games and have vivid dreams about what they play at the moment. If you think about it, you could during game ask yourself if you really in the dream and do a few RCs, that nobody will notice. Like "if this is a dream, instead of desert eagle I'm holding AK-47." Or something similar.

You could try for a few weeks to cut down on game time. Instead, practice LDing, read up on techniques, get insipred by reading the forum and dream journals. If you feel like it, start some simple basic meditation. Then compare with time when you only game.

Yeah i hear you, ive sure had my fair share of more vivid dreams inspired by video games aha, and yeah that's a great idea with the changing of a gun using your imagination to attempt to change it . Sure i could give my game time a cut down and concentrate on LDing more than entertainment with gaming, as i do currently try read and do as much as i can about anything LDing related in-between game sessions and so on. My new outlook on it will be not, im gaming while doing a bit of practice of LDing stuff and be more like im practising LDing while doing a bit of gaming so i may start seeing some real results after my current 3 weeks of trying every day And one other thing is after experiencing that realisation of im dreaming feeling of a first lucid dream i guess it will be such an experience ill become hooked ?

Yo. I play alot of video games, and so far i don't think there were any negatives for me in lucid dreaming, and in addition i have alot of fun non-lucid dreams based on video games as well.

Originally Posted by Scoobymenace

although WILD has shown no sign of co-operating with me as the urge to swallow is too much *sigh.. but less of that.

WILD is not about not moving or not swallowing, focusing on 'not doing x' is what truly hampers progress in WILD, because the focus of WILD is to keep awareness while falling asleep. If you ever decide to try WILD again, i highly suggest reading this tutorial: WILD

I've always played a lot of video games and I'm also a natural lucid dreamer. Whether there's a connection I don't know, but I've been hearing about games being good for lucid dreams and the theory to it makes sense to me too.

Like others have mentioned, games seep into my dreams a lot too, and speaking of Minecraft, I had an LD a couple of months ago where I was in the Minecraft world, it was very surreal indeed, and years ago I had a dream become lucid because I was speaking to a game character and realised this was impossible.

I read video games are actually good for dreams, but also for Lucid Dreaming, but little problem ; VIOLENT video games can cause nightmare.

Originally Posted by Scionox

Yo. I play alot of video games, and so far i don't think there were any negatives for me in lucid dreaming, and in addition i have alot of fun non-lucid dreams based on video games as well.

WILD is not moving or not swallowing, focusing on 'not doing x' is what truly hampers progress in WILD, because the focus of WILD is to keep awareness while falling asleep. If you ever decide to try WILD again, i highly suggest reading this tutorial:

Hey that's great to hear, more positives about gaming with lucid dreaming And i have some cool dreams about games although i think games have a tendency to make my dream world a tad bit "destructive" lol, and by that i mean things like the world ending happens alot >_<. Hmm that so about WILD ? Thats going to be difficult to not do then for me as when i try to do WILD i keep my mind awake but then i keep it awake by thinking of what im going to do when i manage to pull off a WILD which leads me back to i have to not move then i swallow :L but thanks for the link im sure to read it to keep my frame of mind on lucid dreaming !

Originally Posted by Shantak

I've always played a lot of video games and I'm also a natural lucid dreamer. Whether there's a connection I don't know, but I've been hearing about games being good for lucid dreams and the theory to it makes sense to me too.

Like others have mentioned, games seep into my dreams a lot too, and speaking of Minecraft, I had an LD a couple of months ago where I was in the Minecraft world, it was very surreal indeed, and years ago I had a dream become lucid because I was speaking to a game character and realised this was impossible.

More positivity yay! Games must really help then eh, as they definitely have an effect on my dreams thats for sure. Intresting about the game character causing lucidity, maybe after reading this ill become more aware when i have a game dream .

Originally Posted by Earthykiller127

I read video games are actually good for dreams, but also for Lucid Dreaming, but little problem ; VIOLENT video games can cause nightmare.

I can probably agree with the violence causes nightmares statement as i said previously, my dreams are very destructive and sometimes can turn into a nightmare. Speaking of nightmares i had one last night about being in a room with all my friends as babies watching out over the land in a glass tower, then turned round to see the sun expanding, engulfing earth and burning everyone alive...

Originally Posted by Scoobymenace

Hmm that so about WILD ? Thats going to be difficult to not do then for me as when i try to do WILD i keep my mind awake but then i keep it awake by thinking of what im going to do when i manage to pull off a WILD which leads me back to i have to not move then i swallow :L

Uh sorry, i somehow missed a few words(Might have been sleepy or something), i meant to say "WILD is not about not moving or not swallowing".
Just don't worry about moving or swallowing and fall asleep like you usually do, but while keeping awareness.

Originally Posted by lsddream

I play games A LOT and it does not seem to effect my dreaming.

Ah right, although it doesn't effect your dreaming as in have an influence on what you dream about or how often you lucid dream ? I presume you mean it doesn't effect how often you lucid dream and do realitys checks ect..

Originally Posted by Scionox

Uh sorry, i somehow missed a few words(Might have been sleepy or something), i meant to say "WILD is not about not moving or not swallowing".
Just don't worry about moving or swallowing and fall asleep like you usually do, but while keeping awareness.

Oh! ok that makes more sense now lol. So even if i swallow while keeping awareness i can still WILD ? Ive been told otherwise, as swallowing is like a roll-over signal and if you do what you brain wants you do to which is swallow then it sends a signal to the brain telling it your still awake and therefore wont be put into sleep paralysis . Moving isnt a problem for me so all is good there

Originally Posted by Scoobymenace

So even if i swallow while keeping awareness i can still WILD ? Ive been told otherwise, as swallowing is like a roll-over signal and if you do what you brain wants you do to which is swallow then it sends a signal to the brain telling it your still awake and therefore wont be put into sleep paralysis

Yes, you can swallow all you want, focusing on not swallowing will only make it harder to fall asleep. Also, sleep paralysis is not a part of WILD or lucid dreaming in general either, it's a sleep disorder and it's not possible to induce it, there's alot of misconception about it and WILD, read this thread, it explains nicely: http://www.dreamviews.com/wake-initi...mystified.html

I play games A LOT and it does not seem to effect my dreaming.

I just want to say that I litteraly just had my second Lucid dream (First a few days ago) and I game a lot. I game for hours every day and so far it hasn't stopped me from Lucid Dreaming.

Gaming gives me good LDs. I will realize (with just a normal amount of awareness) that everything isn't real since I think it is a game. That is only a step away from realizing that it is a dream.

Originally Posted by Scionox

Yes, you can swallow all you want, focusing on not swallowing will only make it harder to fall asleep. Also, sleep paralysis is not a part of WILD or lucid dreaming in general either, it's a sleep disorder and it's not possible to induce it, there's alot of misconception about it and WILD, read this thread, it explains nicely: http://www.dreamviews.com/wake-initi...mystified.html

Thanks for that, it sure cleared up my understanding of WILD, as SP only occurs during REM sleep but not NREM It also makes the task of WILD less daunting seeing as i dont have to not swallow now so i can swallow away while i keep still and focused on my next WILD attempt! however why would people who have used the method go telling false information, and not just that but on a large scale like that ?

Originally Posted by Erkums

I just want to say that I litteraly just had my second Lucid dream (First a few days ago) and I game a lot. I game for hours every day and so far it hasn't stopped me from Lucid Dreaming.

Thats great news to hear and congrats on your second (shame its been 4 weeks or so now and still no lucid dream for me but i wont get discouraged, as im seeing some results just not lucid dreams yet ) Yeah so it sure seems your on the same boat as me, gaming for hours each day and still hasnt stopped you so in turn wont stop me

Originally Posted by BrandonBoss

Gaming gives me good LDs. I will realize (with just a normal amount of awareness) that everything isn't real since I think it is a game. That is only a step away from realizing that it is a dream.

Awesome, great to hear that BrandonBoss, it gives me more assurance that although i game alot ill still LD like normal (when i do actually experience my first one :L) but yeah i can see where your coming from and if the dream scenery is based on a game it should be easier to make a connection and realise its not real. Thanks for sharing your opinion and thoughts on the matter same goes for everyone who has posted on this thread!

When ever i play alot of bf3 (as i pick it up and put it down) I get lots of vivid dreams where im in gun fights, explosions are going off and tanks are rolling around. Personally video games don't negatively affect my dreams. Although im not really big on gun fights, gotta starting playing rpgs more = )

So i say game away. If you do get video game themed dreams, you can use them to DILD.

Originally Posted by Scoobymenace

however why would people who have used the method go telling false information, and not just that but on a large scale like that ?

Well, most of people who tell about it don't realize that sadly, because that's how it was for a long time.

Originally Posted by Tradl3s

Im sorry, but i must ask how you manage to do MILD before you go to sleep? From what i have heard, You are suppossed to wake up from a dream (about five hours into sleep), and then think about the dream for 20 minutes, making yourself realise the dream in the process, and then you will realise it when you dream it again. This wouldn't work before bed because your mind wouldn't be in enough of a low frequency.

I think you are mistaking MILD for WBTB here. MILD is about setting intention and the right mindset for lucid dreaming, which can be done every time when you go to sleep in many different ways, including mantras, visualization and so on.

Like others have said everybody is different. for me though it doesn't necessarily give me lucid dreams but it does increase my chances of remembering my dreams since right now i have shit recall, & it makes my dreams 1000% more random. Iv'e been re-playing some Tomb Raider (2013) & iv'e been in some challenging/dangerous dreams Along with The last of us giving me some interesting dreams. But i noticed that if i play well into my sleep time it obviously messes with my overall vividness.

Originally Posted by DarkFlatTop

When ever i play alot of bf3 (as i pick it up and put it down) I get lots of vivid dreams where im in gun fights, explosions are going off and tanks are rolling around. Personally video games don't negatively affect my dreams. Although im not really big on gun fights, gotta starting playing rpgs more = )

So i say game away. If you do get video game themed dreams, you can use them to DILD.

Ah righty ive got you, so the type of game will have an influence on what you dream about which is expected. Nice to hear more positive input on how gaming effects your ability to LD and personally FPS's are a thing of the past, ill play them every now and again but its mainly about the RPG's and sandbox games which are like minecraft and the elder scrolls

Originally Posted by Tradl3s

Im sorry, but i must ask how you manage to do MILD before you go to sleep? From what i have heard, You are suppossed to wake up from a dream (about five hours into sleep), and then think about the dream for 20 minutes, making yourself realise the dream in the process, and then you will realise it when you dream it again. This wouldn't work before bed because your mind wouldn't be in enough of a low frequency.

As BrandonBoss and Scionox have already said your referring to the technique known as WBTB and not MILD. At this point i would have gave the exact link BrandonBoss gave however hes already done that for me lol. But with that being said i just set aside 10 mins of time before i go to sleep for my mantra to help reinforce the idea of realising im dreaming each night.

Originally Posted by Scionox

Well, most of people who tell about it don't realize that sadly, because that's how it was for a long time.

It would appear that way, i guess they confuse the vibrations and hallucinations for SP i suppose.

Originally Posted by PeterF

Like others have said everybody is different. for me though it doesn't necessarily give me lucid dreams but it does increase my chances of remembering my dreams since right now i have shit recall, & it makes my dreams 1000% more random. Iv'e been re-playing some Tomb Raider (2013) & iv'e been in some challenging/dangerous dreams Along with The last of us giving me some interesting dreams. But i noticed that if i play well into my sleep time it obviously messes with my overall vividness.

Cool, thats great to hear so if it wont cause LD's to happen for me via DILD then it will heighten my recall (although i remember 4 dreams a night, but hey maybe itll help me remember 5 xD ?) And about dreams being alot more random, im not sure if gaming influences my randomness but hey you never know and just going to say a dream with a bit of Voldemort, giant red and black demon snake gods, taking different length green pills to become jesus and 4 moon sized asteroids crashing into earth from 4 angles causing the evacuation of earth is quite the daily dose of random dont you think xD ? I try avoid playing into my sleep as ever since ive started lucid dreaming ive got to bed on time at a set time every night dont want to not have a lucid dream. Thanks for the post btw.

Going a bit off topic but still on lucid dreams, is about remembering them. So lets set a scenario here, and say ive just experienced a LD due to realising im in a game and after waking up i dont remember it, would the LD of happened ? Because if i dont remember it even though it did happen it might aswell be like it didnt right ? The thing that mainly confuses me is while the LD is happening and its in the present i will know its a dream and so on and enjoy it but when i wake up i wont remember so :L Another way to put it is like being brain washed, even thought the events happened you dont remember them so its like it never happened.

With too much gmod comes crosshairs At the center of my vision, which just adds another dream sign. Little plus signs.

Originally Posted by Theepicdreamer

With too much gmod comes crosshairs At the center of my vision, which just adds another dream sign. Little plus signs.

Hehe thats quite cool, i play alot of league or did until we moved >_<