Cholinergic Enhancement Increases Lucid Dreaming in Post-Intervention Sleep  Kristen LaMarca , Stephen LaBerge PhD (Lucidity Institute, Vista, CA )   P1

We typically do not notice we are dreaming until after we awaken. A significant exception to this is lucid dreaming, in which we become metaconscious of dreaming while continuing to dream. Research has shown that lucid dreaming reliably occurs during phasic REM sleep (LaBerge et al. 1981). By intensifying REM sleep, LaBerge hypothesized that Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors should increase the probability of lucid dreaming. After our laboratory found that Donepezil (Aricept) before sleep enhanced rates of self-reported lucid dreaming in 10 experienced lucid dreamers (LaBerge & Brylowski, 2004), we subsequently predicted that galantamine ingested after the third REM period (REMP) of the night would also show positive results in the subsequent REMPs. In a series of larger experiments using a double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over design, we tested whether ingesting galantamine after approximately the third REMP increased rates of lucid dreaming. Ss were a high interest group of 121 volunteers (63 males, 58 females, ages 19-75) attending one of six, consecutive 7-day lucid dreaming seminars (Dreaming and Awakening, lucidity.com) in Hawaii. On average, Ss reported nightly dream recall, and lucid dreaming about once every three months. Following a practice night to familiarize Ss with sleep-interruption, reporting procedures, and content scales, Ss interrupted their sleep on three consecutive nights and ingested capsules containing either 0 mg (placebo), 4 mg, or 8 mg of galantamine with counterbalanced orders. After about a 30 minute period of wakefulness, participants returned to bed, with the mental set to remember to recognize dreamsigns, and slept for an average of 199 (69) minutes. Following one or more spontaneous awakenings, participants rated several measures of dream content. Self-reports of lucid dreaming were verified by experts through the Ss?s written narrative, and if necessary, a follow up verbal interview. Galantamine significantly increased lucid dreaming in a dose-related manner during post-intervention sleep. Lucid dreaming was reported by 75 (62%) Ss during the three nights of the study: 51 (42%) Ss with 8 mg, 33 (27%) Ss with 4 mg, and 17 (14%) Ss with 0 mg, with placebo rates higher than would be expected from pre-experiment reports. Compared to placebo, 8 mg was 4.63 times more likely (p<.000; d=.084) and 4 mg was 2.43 times more likely (p=.005; d=.49) to result in lucid dreaming. Ss were 1.91 times more likely to report lucid dreaming with the 8 mg compared to 4 mg dose (p=.013; d=.36). Galantamine also significantly elevated ratings of sensory vividness, dream recall, environmental complexity, bizarreness, positive emotions, odd somatic sensations, clarity, sexual content, and control in a dose-related manner. To conclude, we found a strong and statistically reliable effect for cholinergic enhancement on increasing lucid dreaming, specifically when paired with the mental set for inducing metaconsciousness (lucidity) during sleep.