The aim of this research was to make original investigations into ‘lucid-dreams’ (those in which the dreamer has insight that the experience is a dream). A new method of ocular signalling from these dreams was discovered, so circumventing the bodily paralysis of Stage REM sleep, and establishing a mode of communication from the sleeping subject.

All-night Polygraphic recordings were obtained from 18 subjects who reported having lucid-dreams. However, after extensive monitoring only two of the eighteen subjects were able to produce lucid-dreams in the laboratory. Much physiological and psychological information on these dreams in the best subject was made available using the new technique. All the lucid-dreams occurred in Stage REM sleep and had a mean duration of 4 minutes. There were no differences in the sleep-patterns between Control and lucid-dream nights. The temporal order of events reported on waking corresponded in general to the signalled information. A group of simulating Control subjects were unable to reproduce ocular signals with REM EEG on waking from Stage REM

sleep. Additional data was analysed concerning home lucid-dreams. A 4-day cycle accounted for 25% of the subject’s lucid-dreams and they tended to occur more after days of above average stimulation.

A large group of persons who reported having lucid-dreams provided questionnaire data. Personality and intelligence factors were also studied in relation to these dreams, but no significant findings resulted.

A method of induction of lucid-dreams was tried unsuccessfully on a group of subjects, but a later technique showed promise. A study of 2-way communication between subject and experimenter was inconclusive.

Three inventions were devised as a result of this research: a switching device operated by ocular signals; a device for waking persons at the early stage of nightmares; a device to induce lucid-dreams and false-awakenings.