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What Are Lucid Dreams?

A lucid dream is a term used to describe when an individual is in the process of dreaming but is also aware they are dreaming. This phenomenon means an individual can retain their reflexive consciousness when they are dreaming. The individual having a lucid dream can remain asleep physiologically and stay in a dream environment. However, not all individuals have experienced lucid dreams.

Lucid dreams are a phenomenon that is not fully understood by science and researchers yet, but studies have provided some useful information about this type of dreaming that can be used as a reference point. Lucid dreaming only occurs during a certain stage of an individual's sleep and has to have certain characteristics to be considered a lucid dream. There have been claims that lucid dreaming holds numerous benefits for an individual, which are matched by research showing it also has several pitfalls.

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Criteria For A Lucid Dream

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While a lucid dream is essentially defined as an individual having a dream while they are aware they are dreaming, the dream in question must meet seven different criteria to be scientifically considered a lucid dream. First, the affected individual must have an awareness of the fact they are dreaming. Second, the individual must be aware they can make intentional decisions in the dream. Thirdly, the individual must have an awareness of their memory. Fourth, the individual must be aware of their own identity while they are dreaming. 

Fifth, the individual must have an awareness of the environment in which they are dreaming. Sixth, the individual must have an awareness of the meaning of their dream. Lastly, the individual must have an awareness of their ability to focus and concentrate during their dream. Despite these criteria set for what is considered a lucid dream, it has also been argued by some skeptics that an individual who is lucid dreaming is actually dreaming within their initial active dream, rather than being aware of the fact they are dreaming.

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