Lucid dreamers report reduced fear after confronting phobias in their sleep

Lucid dreamers report reduced fear after confronting phobias in their sleep

New research suggests that lucid dreaming may help people reduce their fears by allowing them to face phobia-related situations in a safe, dream-based environment. In a study published in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, participants who encountered the object of their fear in a lucid dream often reported less fear after waking up—especially when the fear had been intense beforehand. Lucid dreams are a type of dream i…