0072 Intentionally awakening from sleep and its therapeutic potential to reduce nightmares

Abstract Introduction Many people suffer from recurring nightmares that induce fear in their dreams and incur lasting psychological effects. One possible solution to alleviate these might be wake up directly them. Though we typically think of sleep as an “off” state where the sleeper is unable make decisions, one exception lucid dreaming. In dreams, dreamer aware dream can perform deliberate actions while With such control over dream, it allow nightmare sufferers end occurring. To date, claims awakening only exist subjective reports actual success rate attempts still unknown. address this gap knowledge, current study tested whether individuals asked intentionally themselves during (more specifically, a dream) would do so at higher rates than those task. Methods Participants were either try next or clench fists dream. Both groups completed survey about experience upon awakening, including two questions surrounding impact task on awakening. Results Relative participants who clenched dreaming, attempted by closing eyes reported woke them more frequently (p < .05) they sooner after executing .05). Furthermore, level lucidity dreaming was correlated with earlier wake-up time Conclusion These results suggest indeed – contrary traditional thought are able intentionally. This new finding reduce amount spend which turn physiological effects nightmare. Future research exploring most effective method waking could provide approaches relieving nightmare-related stress increasing healthy sleep. Support (if any)