Understanding and Application of Lucid Dreams in Sleep Medicine / 수면정신생리

ABSTRACT

A lucid dream is defined as a dream during which a dreamer is aware that she/he is dreaming. The existence of lucid dream has long been known in the literature, but it hasn't been long before it has received attention in sleep medicine. Although many studies have been conducted since validation of the lucid dream in polysomnography by Steven LaBerge in the 1980s, the neuroscience of lucid dreams is still not fully understood. Here the neuroscientific literature on lucid dreaming, including electroencephalographic, neuroimaging, pharmacological and brain stimulation studies, are reviewed. Also this review gives an overview on how lucid dreams are used in clinical and nonclinical areas, ranging from nightmare therapy to research on consciousness and creative problem solving.