Is it possible to consciously induce REM sleep or slow sleep?

Chaosseraph88 · 08-24-2007, 09:46 PM

It's very often that I go to bed fully aware that I have an early class next morning. And I obviously find myself restless if not completely awake. With my paranoid and unreasonable fear of sleep aids, I thought I found a way to consciously induce a dream state. It starts out with me drawing background voices forward. Now these voices, as I noticed are always there, they are like continuing echos of all of the voices that I've heard recently, and it's like a crowded room full of these voices are always there, but they are often if not always ignored. I'd have to concentrate to make those voices stronger, and eventually they take form and a spinny feeling occurs, and bam I'm dreaming. The whole thing takes about thirty seconds. And I'm wondering if i'm actually inducing dreams or just think I am and just falling asleep normally

Moondrop · 08-24-2007, 11:34 PM

As far as I know you cannot induce REM consciously, or at the beginning of a sleep-cycle. There are 4 sleep-stages that are cycled through before entering REM: Consciousness - 1-2-3-4-3-2-REM. This cycle takes about 90 minutes, and the sequence is cycled through about 4 times in a sleep period.
Contrary to common beliefs you dream not only in REM, but also in the so-called NREM, or Non-rem stages dominated by delta-waves, i.e. stages 3-4. My books don't state it specifically, but I doubt we are able to induce the brainwave-patterns associated with deep sleep ourselves... It may seem like we have to go through stages 1-2 of more "light sleeping" before the deep sleep, and dreaming, occurs. But if you want I can check with my professor

It seems to me that you are just falling asleep normally, but by all means: do not stop using your technique. It sounds very effective. I usually need almost an hour to fall asleep...

potchie · 08-25-2007, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moondrop

As far as I know you cannot induce REM consciously, or at the beginning of a sleep-cycle. There are 4 sleep-stages that are cycled through before entering REM: Consciousness - 1-2-3-4-3-2-REM. This cycle takes about 90 minutes, and the sequence is cycled through about 4 times in a sleep period.
Contrary to common beliefs you dream not only in REM, but also in the so-called NREM, or Non-rem stages dominated by delta-waves, i.e. stages 3-4. My books don't state it specifically, but I doubt we are able to induce the brainwave-patterns associated with deep sleep ourselves... It may seem like we have to go through stages 1-2 of more "light sleeping" before the deep sleep, and dreaming, occurs. But if you want I can check with my professor

It seems to me that you are just falling asleep normally, but by all means: do not stop using your technique. It sounds very effective. I usually need almost an hour to fall asleep...

spunds interesting,, i wan to sleep..

Chaosseraph88 · 08-25-2007, 11:31 PM

Thanks man, if it's not too much trouble, could you?
Sometimes hat kind of thing makes me want to choose psychology as a major, but I'm just a freshman, and the idea of taking apart the human psyche like some sort of machine.
But anyways, I sort of thought I had a brilliant breakthrough for a while... also could you ask about those voices? I don't think I like the fact that it seems like I accumulate voices throughout the day just to have them to have incessantly "played back" throughout the day as a sort of background noise.

Moondrop · 08-26-2007, 12:47 AM

Woman, actually

I really think you should choose psychology as a major. It is really fascinating. My main interrest is in cognitive psychology, and memory. I tell you: once you start reading about how memory works you get completely awe-stricken/awestruck (choose the one that fits

).

As for the noices... the brain is constantly active, but it is only some of that activation that turns into something we're aware of. It could simply be that the noices are stuff you'd normally not pay attention to, but when you delibaretly shift you're attention to it they surface to your consciousness. As far as I know there is nothing pathological about it, unless they tell you to burn down houses, or wear aluminum foil round your head. This is just speculations on my part. I haven't had much courses in neuropsychology yet, but I'm taking one this semester so hopefully I will understand the brain's functioning a lot better by Christmas

Also, some researchers believe that dreams are just random neural firing that the brain somehow tries to interpret. That's probably why some of our dreams seems so "wacky". However, we have not yet figured out for certain why we dream, and why some are so strange... Maybe that's up to you to figure out one day

I don't have a lecture until thursday, so I'm afraid you will have to wait a couple of days, but I'll try to look into it.

Chaosseraph88 · 08-27-2007, 07:59 PM

er, sorry my mistake.
But yeah that'd be great if it isn't too much trouble.
Psychology is a little scary to me for some reason, but I AM aiming for medical school anyways, is that subject covered, or is it more like a science major?

Moondrop · 08-28-2007, 12:29 AM

I live in Scandinavia so I have no clue about how the American or English school system works... I'm assuming you're American, but correct me if I'm wrong

Moondrop · 08-30-2007, 06:25 AM

I asked my professor today about consciously inducing REM-waves, but he didn't know if it was possible. To find out I would have to connect you to "EEG-machines" to read the brainwave patterns...
If you take psychology as major you might be able to do the research one day

Chaosseraph88 · 08-30-2007, 08:40 PM

Yeah, the school system works with the four years of highschool, and depending on your academic, or athletic performance during those years, (oh and the scores on particular tests such as the SAT, ACT, and TOFEL) certain collages and universities will accept you if you apply. After that you earn a 2yr degree which will earn you a decent job, a 4yr degree which will allow you to continue on to a specialized school (medical school, Law school, ect) or attain an even more decent job. 6yrs afterwards you will be able to work in very high paying jobs, doctor, lawer. but if you continue on for 8yrs, you'll become an authority in your area, and will be able to earn a phd or a doctorate after you publish a thesis. This will allow you to teach in a Collage and do valid research on your area of expertise.

Moondrop · 08-30-2007, 11:12 PM

In my country we have 3 years of upper secondary school which is compulsory (I think it's equivalent to high school), then we can apply directly to a University after that, depending only on the grade average. In Uni 3 years gives you a bachelor degree (undergraduate studies), 2 years after that (5 in total) gives you a Master degree (graduate studies) and 4 years after that (9 years in total) gives you a PhD, which I am aiming for. However, I need someone already working at the Uni to accept me, I can't get a PhD based solely on good grades...

If I get accepted on a PhD based solely on grades in the US I think I will consider applying "over there"

08-24-2007, 09:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chaosseraph88 Noogle Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is it possible to consciously induce REM sleep or slow sleep? It's very often that I go to bed fully aware that I have an early class next morning. And I obviously find myself restless if not completely awake. With my paranoid and unreasonable fear of sleep aids, I thought I found a way to consciously induce a dream state. It starts out with me drawing background voices forward. Now these voices, as I noticed are always there, they are like continuing echos of all of the voices that I've heard recently, and it's like a crowded room full of these voices are always there, but they are often if not always ignored. I'd have to concentrate to make those voices stronger, and eventually they take form and a spinny feeling occurs, and bam I'm dreaming. The whole thing takes about thirty seconds. And I'm wondering if i'm actually inducing dreams or just think I am and just falling asleep normally Last edited by Chaosseraph88; 08-24-2007 at 09:49 PM.

08-24-2007, 11:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Moondrop Junior Googler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As far as I know you cannot induce REM consciously, or at the beginning of a sleep-cycle. There are 4 sleep-stages that are cycled through before entering REM: Consciousness - 1-2-3-4-3-2-REM. This cycle takes about 90 minutes, and the sequence is cycled through about 4 times in a sleep period. Contrary to common beliefs you dream not only in REM, but also in the so-called NREM, or Non-rem stages dominated by delta-waves, i.e. stages 3-4. My books don't state it specifically, but I doubt we are able to induce the brainwave-patterns associated with deep sleep ourselves... It may seem like we have to go through stages 1-2 of more "light sleeping" before the deep sleep, and dreaming, occurs. But if you want I can check with my professor It seems to me that you are just falling asleep normally, but by all means: do not stop using your technique. It sounds very effective. I usually need almost an hour to fall asleep... Last edited by Moondrop; 08-25-2007 at 01:09 AM.

08-26-2007, 12:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Moondrop Junior Googler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Woman, actually I really think you should choose psychology as a major. It is really fascinating. My main interrest is in cognitive psychology, and memory. I tell you: once you start reading about how memory works you get completely awe-stricken/awestruck (choose the one that fits). As for the noices... the brain is constantly active, but it is only some of that activation that turns into something we're aware of. It could simply be that the noices are stuff you'd normally not pay attention to, but when you delibaretly shift you're attention to it they surface to your consciousness. As far as I know there is nothing pathological about it, unless they tell you to burn down houses, or wear aluminum foil round your head. This is just speculations on my part. I haven't had much courses in neuropsychology yet, but I'm taking one this semester so hopefully I will understand the brain's functioning a lot better by Christmas Also, some researchers believe that dreams are just random neural firing that the brain somehow tries to interpret. That's probably why some of our dreams seems so "wacky". However, we have not yet figured out for certain why we dream, and why some are so strange... Maybe that's up to you to figure out one day I don't have a lecture until thursday, so I'm afraid you will have to wait a couple of days, but I'll try to look into it. Last edited by Moondrop; 08-26-2007 at 01:24 AM.

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08-25-2007, 11:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chaosseraph88 Noogle Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks man, if it's not too much trouble, could you? Sometimes hat kind of thing makes me want to choose psychology as a major, but I'm just a freshman, and the idea of taking apart the human psyche like some sort of machine. But anyways, I sort of thought I had a brilliant breakthrough for a while... also could you ask about those voices? I don't think I like the fact that it seems like I accumulate voices throughout the day just to have them to have incessantly "played back" throughout the day as a sort of background noise.

08-27-2007, 07:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chaosseraph88 Noogle Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	er, sorry my mistake. But yeah that'd be great if it isn't too much trouble. Psychology is a little scary to me for some reason, but I AM aiming for medical school anyways, is that subject covered, or is it more like a science major?

08-28-2007, 12:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
Moondrop Junior Googler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I live in Scandinavia so I have no clue about how the American or English school system works... I'm assuming you're American, but correct me if I'm wrong

08-30-2007, 06:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
Moondrop Junior Googler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I asked my professor today about consciously inducing REM-waves, but he didn't know if it was possible. To find out I would have to connect you to "EEG-machines" to read the brainwave patterns... If you take psychology as major you might be able to do the research one day

08-30-2007, 08:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chaosseraph88 Noogle Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, the school system works with the four years of highschool, and depending on your academic, or athletic performance during those years, (oh and the scores on particular tests such as the SAT, ACT, and TOFEL) certain collages and universities will accept you if you apply. After that you earn a 2yr degree which will earn you a decent job, a 4yr degree which will allow you to continue on to a specialized school (medical school, Law school, ect) or attain an even more decent job. 6yrs afterwards you will be able to work in very high paying jobs, doctor, lawer. but if you continue on for 8yrs, you'll become an authority in your area, and will be able to earn a phd or a doctorate after you publish a thesis. This will allow you to teach in a Collage and do valid research on your area of expertise.

08-30-2007, 11:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Moondrop Junior Googler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In my country we have 3 years of upper secondary school which is compulsory (I think it's equivalent to high school), then we can apply directly to a University after that, depending only on the grade average. In Uni 3 years gives you a bachelor degree (undergraduate studies), 2 years after that (5 in total) gives you a Master degree (graduate studies) and 4 years after that (9 years in total) gives you a PhD, which I am aiming for. However, I need someone already working at the Uni to accept me, I can't get a PhD based solely on good grades... If I get accepted on a PhD based solely on grades in the US I think I will consider applying "over there"

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