Stephen LaBerge
Stephen LaBerge | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Stanford University |
| Known for | Oneirology, Lucid dreaming |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychophysiology |
Stephen LaBerge (born 1947) is a psychophysiologist and a leader in the scientific study of lucid dreaming. In 1967 he received his Bachelor's Degree in mathematics. He began researching lucid dreaming for his Ph.D. in Psychophysiology at Stanford University, which he received in 1980.[1] He developed techniques to enable himself and other researchers to enter a lucid dream state at will, most notably the MILD technique (mnemonic induction of lucid dreams), which was necessary for many forms of dream experimentation.[2] In 1987, he founded The Lucidity Institute, an organization that promotes research into lucid dreaming, as well as running courses for the general public on how to achieve a lucid dream.[3]
In the early 1980s, news of LaBerge's research using the technique of signalling to a collaborator monitoring his EEG with agreed-upon eye movements during REM, helped to popularise lucid dreaming in the American media. The first scientifically verified signal from a dreamer's mind to the outside world came several years earlier in 1975, from a study conducted by Keith Hearne at Hull University, England;[4] however, media confusion over which scientist first published their results[5][6] has caused the widespread but incorrect belief that LaBerge was the first to conduct this research.[7]
Research results
Results from LaBerge's lab and others[8] include:
- comparison of subjective sense of time in dreams versus the waking state using eye signals
- comparison of electrical activity in the brain when singing while awake, and while in a dream
- various studies comparing physiological sexual arousal and in-dream sex, and most interestingly, orgasm.
Lucid dreaming education and facilitation
LaBerge developed a series of devices to help users enter a lucid state while dreaming. The original device was called a DreamLight, which was discontinued in favor of the NovaDreamer, designed by experienced lucid dreamer Craig Webb for the Lucidity Institute while he worked there and participated in lucid dreaming research at Stanford. At the time of writing (2013) it is not possible to purchase any of these devices from the Lucidity Institute website. An improved version of the NovaDreamer is allegedly under development.[9]
All of the devices consist of a mask worn over the eyes with LEDs positioned over the eyelids. The LEDs flash whenever the mask detects that the wearer has entered REM sleep. The stimulus is incorporated into the wearer's dreams and can be recognised as a sign that they are dreaming.[10]
LaBerge currently lectures at universities and other professional institutions, and hosts lucid dreaming sessions at various locations.
Bibliography
LaBerge has produced several books and tapes about lucid dreaming.
- LaBerge, Stephen (1985). Lucid Dreaming: The power of being aware and awake in your dreams. ISBN 0-87477-342-3.
- LaBerge, Stephen; Rheingold, Howard (1990). Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming. ISBN 0-345-37410-X.
- LaBerge, Stephen (2004). Lucid Dreaming: A Concise Guide to Awakening in Your Dreams and in Your Life. ISBN 1-59179-150-2.
References
- ^ Stephen LaBerge at IASD
- ^ Lucid Dreaming Frequently Asked Questions Answered by The Lucidity Institute
- ^ About the Lucidity Institute
- ^ ‘Eye-movement communication from lucid-dreams: a new technique and initial findings’ (Published proceedings) 11th postgraduate-postdoctoral Conference in the Behavioural Sciences, Hull University, April 15th - 18th, 1977.
- ^ ‘Eye-movement communication from lucid-dreams: a new technique and initial findings’ (Published proceedings) 11th postgraduate-postdoctoral Conference in the Behavioural Sciences, Hull University, April 15th - 18th, 1977.
- ^ Laberge, S. (1980). Lucid dreaming: An exploratory study of consciousness during sleep. (PhD thesis, Stanford University, 1980), (University Microfilms No. 80-24, 691)
- ^ Brief History of the Scientific Validation of Lucid Dreaming
- ^ Psychophysiology of Lucid Dreaming
- ^ The NovaDreamer Lucid Dream Induction Device
- ^ Lucid Dreaming Frequently Asked Questions Answered by The Lucidity Institute
External links
- The Lucidity Institute
- Laberge, S. (1980). Lucid dreaming: An exploratory study of consciousness during sleep. (Ph.D. thesis, Stanford University, 1980), (University Microfilms No. 80-24, 691)
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