The CAT was developed by author Daniel Love and originally published by the Lucidity Institute as an alternative to complex daytime rituals and for people who don't have time for WBTB. It involves adjusting the sleep cycle by varying the time of awakening according to a specific schedule, which will be described below. Most techniques use a psychological approach; CAT differs in that it uses a biological approach by promoting an optimized biochemical response towards awareness, and subsequent lucidity, at a specific time. With strict adherence, the schedule allows for four lucid dreams per week. This technique has been used by beginners to induce their first lucid dreams.
For the first week, the dreamer wakes up 90 minutes earlier than their normal wake time. This will cause the sleep cycle and internal clock to adjust. During this 90 minutes which would normally be spent sleeping, the dreamer should do frequent reality checks. It may also be helpful to read materials that relate to dreaming, and to visualize any goals that the dreamer hopes to accomplish upon achieving lucidity. After the adjustment phase, the dreamer alternates between waking up at the earlier time and their original (later) wake time. On the later wake-time days, the body will be primed to wake up at the earlier time, causing the mind to enter a state of increased awareness, leading to lucidity during the longest REM period of the sleep cycle. It is important to note that if the CAT is used for a prolonged period of time (over a month), an additional adjustment phase may be needed.
An alternative method is the WILD-CAT, in which the dreamer wakes briefly at the earlier wake time, and then uses any preferred WILD technique. There should be no need for a prolonged WBTB, due to the cycle adjustment which has already been established.
If you are interested in this technique, it is recommended to read the complete article by the author.
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