Lucid dreaming is still a hot topic after over a decade since the release of the movie Inception. In fact, TikTok has billions of views on the subject, which shows how intriguing the concept has become. Lucid dreaming is a state of consciousness where you’re aware you are dreaming and may even be able to influence the story and environment of your dream. This phenomenon has drawn a lot of interest in the scientific community as well for its potential insight into the depths of the human psyche. Mostly, people are curious to experience the wild ride for themselves.
Unsurprisingly, lucid dreaming has taken off on TikTok, where users share how certain sleep supplements have opened up a gateway to experiencing lucid dreams. People claim that their dreams are more vivid and controlled when they take specific supplements, namely Stellace Night Night Capsules, an herbal remedy promoting a pathway to lucid dreaming.
Growing interest may be based on the desire for self-exploration and the appeal of steering your dream world. But as with any sensational claim on social media, especially concerning supplements, digging deeper and examining the science is worthwhile.
Understanding Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming is a state of sleep most likely to happen during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage, in which you’re aware you are dreaming. This awareness can mean gaining control over what happens in the dream, which can lead to some off-the-wall adventures or encourage self-discovery. Other times, you might simply observe your dream, being aware you’re dreaming and experiencing more clarity, vividness, and emotion than you typically might experience in a dream.
Studies on the neuroscience of lucid dreaming have shown that it involves a unique combination of brain activity. Specifically, certain parts of the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with complex cognitive functions such as self-reflection and critical thinking, show increased activity during lucid dreams. This is unique because when not experiencing lucid dreaming, that part of the brain has reduced activity. Being able to see and measure this heightened brain activity shows there’s a neurological basis for why people are consciously aware during lucid dreaming.
The TikTok Trend
TikTok is fertile ground for sprouting and spreading all sorts of health and wellness trends, and those with an otherworldly appeal, like lucid dreaming, are apt to take over the platform. Videos show recounts of experiences taking Stellace Night Capsules, attributing their newfound ability to navigate the dream world with greater clarity and purpose to its use.
Descriptions include a range of experiences, such as fully recalling details of dreams and having vivid, almost cinematic dreams. One creator says the supplement helped her fall and stay asleep for the first two nights, but by the third night, she started having vivid, recurring Alice in Wonderland-like dreams she used to have in childhood. (1) She attributes being able to remember her dreams to Stellace, saying she’s changed nothing else in her routine.
Others say that once they started taking Stellace, they had a much easier time falling asleep and had very vivid dreams they could remember. (2)
What the Experts Say
TikTok stories about sleep supplements boosting lucid dreams are intriguing, but you should take them with a grain of salt. Personal experiences on social media are subjective and aren’t always truthful. Plus, they can also be swayed by factors like the placebo effect. As always, it’s a good idea to do your own research, talk to healthcare experts, and look for solid scientific evidence.
According to Ruchir P. Patel, M.D., FACP, Medical Director and Founder of The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona, ‘lucid dreaming’ is a subjective sensation that is difficult to duplicate or measure even in a sleep laboratory setting. “The claim that Stellace can induce lucid dreaming is merely a claim that is not backed by scientific evidence, unfortunately,” he says.
Dr. Patel adds that while these supplements have some evidence that they may trigger drowsiness and mental relaxation, this specific product does not have a clinical study supporting its claims, and most natural sleep supplements do not.
Recent scientific studies show some potential of certain supplements to affect sleep in ways that can lead to lucid dreaming. One ingredient in the Night Capsules, Passion Flower, contains apigenen, which helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and increase the potential amount of REM sleep. Another ingredient, valerian root, is one of the most popular herbs for sleep. Research shows it can help treat sleep problems, reduce insomnia, and increase the vividness of dreams. (3) In general, improving and increasing REM sleep will make it more likely that you’ll dream, lucid or otherwise.
Other Ways to Encourage Lucid Dreams
There are other methods to encourage lucid dreaming that don’t involve supplements. People have devised various psychological techniques to help them become aware of their dreams while they’re still in them.
- Give yourself reality checks: Perform periodic checks throughout the day to question whether you are dreaming or awake. This habit can sometimes be carried into sleep, increasing the chances of recognizing a dream state.
- Keep a dream journal: Keeping a detailed journal of your dreams as soon as you wake up can help you recall and be aware of your dreams more easily. Over time, this practice can help you recognize patterns or signs that indicate you are dreaming.
- Try the MILD Technique (Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams): Developed by Dr. Stephen LaBerge, this technique involves setting an intention before falling asleep to remember to recognize that you are dreaming. Typically, you will also visualize yourself becoming lucid in a dream and repeating a mantra of this intention.
Risks and Considerations
Exploring lucid dreaming is an exciting prospect, but it’s important to be careful, especially when it comes to using sleep supplements. Even if these supplements are advertised as natural, they can cause side effects like dizziness or headaches and, in some cases, more serious issues like allergic reactions or problems when mixed with other medications. There’s also not much known about what happens if you use them for a long time, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
For instance, there’s a chance that you might start relying too much on these supplements, either mentally or physically, to fall asleep or experience lucid dreams. Use balance and moderation to avoid becoming dependent on these supplements, and talk to your healthcare provider before giving them a try.
Lucid Dreaming: Benefits, Tips, and What the Science Says
Can Dreams Alter Our Memories? New Research Indicates They Might
How To Keep A Dream Journal: Tips and Benefits
How Sleep Disorders Affect Men And Women Differently
Sources
1. @rebeccapechoskich; TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@rebeccapechoskich/video/7337869296716057899; February 20, 2024.
2. @astralarchangel; TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@astralarchangel/video/7127092681746009386; August 1, 2022.
3. Shinjyo N, Waddell G, Green J. Valerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2020;25. doi:10.1177/2515690X20967323
Patel, Ruchir P. Author interview. March 2024.
