Marijuana and lucid dreams

[akv272]

I'm new here. I've been reading up on lucid dreaming for a few years now but have recently decided to actually try to learn how.
I've read somewhere that smoking illegal things can make it impossible to dream until you clear it out of your system. Is this true?
I'm a pretty heavy smoker and when I quit smoking for about a week earlier this year I actually started to be able to recall a few dreams here and there
and it's actually getting better the less I smoke.

Has anyone else heard of anything about smoking weed affecting your ability to dream or to recall your dreams?

[akv272]

Another interesting thing I think I should note: Since I've slowed down on my weed consumption the dreams that I remember are now in first person as opposed to third-person or over head before hand. I don't know if that's because I've been trying so hard to obtain lucidity and I'm just a little bit closer to my goal or if the ganja had anything to do with it.

[luctab]

It did definately affect my recall ability quite a bit. some choline (or there are probably others that) might help with that that's super interesting about the change in point of view!!!! I almost wanna try again to see if that happens to me cause course I just can't recall haha. Another thing that helps with the recall quite a bit is to spend a night waking up every 1.5 hours (after an inital 4.5 hours of sleep) and writing down the dreams. If I do that for a night then not only do I have great recall that night, but I do nights following too. I dont know if it's bc my body gets accustomed to waking up periodically or if I get accustomed mentally to journaling when I DO wake, maybe both. Course... Assuming you can get yourself up that often when toking. I never could!

[Hukif]

If I remember properly, weed will supress REM sleep so yeah your dreams would be much harder to recall in that state. And if by "illegal" things you mean shit like what they sell here in Mexico, it will fry your brain so badly that dreams and reality might overlap for you <.<

[DrTechnical]

Pot is not good for dream recall and lucid dreaming in general.

If you are serious about dreaming, refrain from smoking too much. End of story. Sorry.

[REMAddict]

Hey akv272!

Research would tell me that Marijuana abuse has an effect of REM suppression and taints your ability to recall dreams.

Personal experience (and the wise words of my professor) tells me it's not so black and white...

I used to be a heavy smoker. Nowadays it's more of a novelty, and after years of experimenting with its effect on my mind, body, academics, social life and life in general I can say with confidence that whilst daily smoking isn't ideal for maximising the productivity and capacity for most people, it certainly isn't completely detrimental when used in moderation. Moderation is the key here.

Anyway...

Certain chemicals which are present in cannabis have a negative effect on short term memory. Other compounds in specific strains actually have other effects on your dreams. Now think, if you go to sleep high, you won't remember any of the effects because of the effect on your memory, but that doesn't mean those other effects didn't come about. If you leave it a few hours before sleeping for your brain to adjust, many people tend to experience very vivid dreams. You actually remember the effects on your dreams and can observe how these chemicals affect your dreaming mind long after the immediate effects have worn off.

Prolonged use of marijuana before sleep will affect your ability to recall dreams... Because everyone is different, weed will effect everyone slightly differently. Going to sleep high everyday will just put a huge barrier between you and dream recall, but I find occasional use to have no detrimental effects on my dreams.

Just my 2 cents  

[IndigoGhost]

smoking illegal things can make it impossible to dream until you clear it out of your system. Is this true?
I'm a pretty heavy smoker

Hey William, take a seat over there.

[bluebird]

Marijuana will be detrimental to Lucid Dreaming
Alcohol may be benefitial, but usually you will have no recall
Caffeine is supposed to be good for Lucid Dreaming if you use it correctly
Psychedelic drugs are supposed to also be benefitial, but only if you can actually fall asleep quickly before they wear off (I don't condone this behaviour at all)

For the best effects though, use specific vitamins and medicines that are proven to help you lucid dream. Check out the Dream Supplements section of the forum, but please be aware that you still have to put in the effort yourself, these things will just make it a bit easier Best of luck, I hope your journey goes well

[Desert Beacon]

No scientific proof backing this up or anything just personal experience...
A couple times I have tried waking up, smoking then going to sleep because I was curious.
A wake'n'bake back to bed if you will 

When I got back into bed obviously it was much easier for my body to relax, and it is a lot
easier to use visualization methods for SP and WILDS. The tricky part is I think it woke my
mind up a little too much..

I've had some other experiences with attempted WILDS and other things but will keep those
to myself... 

Not sure as far as recall goes, I don't think I ever really noticed much difference but I have
really thought about it!

[REMAddict]

A couple times I have tried waking up, smoking then going to sleep because I was curious.
A wake'n'bake back to bed if you will 

Haha wake and bake back to bed.  I doubt you'll ever see that featured on the induction section   I'd rather save my bud for the heavy weekends 

[Desert Beacon]

WNBBTB I demand a light up anagram thingy this instance! 
Since I started college I've cut back immensely but when I get back home the experimenting will begin.
 

I feel ya fellow ent...

[Sunshine]

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