The specialist explained the phenomenon of lucid sleep

Lucid sleep, in which a person realizes that they are dreaming, is a natural phenomenon, not a mystical practice, but attempts to induce it can harm the quality of sleep. Alexander Kalyuzhin, a senior lecturer at the Department of Fundamental Medical Sciences at the State University of Education, told Izvestia on February 5.

"This is a normal REM sleep, but with one important detail: at some point, self-control turns on, and the person realizes, "I'm dreaming." This is a normal physiological phenomenon, but one hundred percent controllability and guaranteed "button entry" usually do not happen in reality," the expert explained.

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According to Kalyuzhin, the benefits of such dreams are individual. For some, they help to endure nightmares more easily, for others — as a way of mental rehearsal or for creative ideas. However, the specialist warned about the risks associated not with the phenomenon itself, but with the methods of achieving it. Lack of sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and sitting on the phone at night, according to him, worsen sleep and performance during the day. Sometimes there is sleep paralysis or vivid images on the border of sleep and wakefulness.

He recommended special caution to people with chronic insomnia, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, or psychotic symptoms. They should not experiment with lucid dreams on their own, but they should discuss this with their doctor.

"Among the main techniques for entering lucid sleep are setting up a regime, keeping a dream diary, periodic daytime reality check, and holding the intention to become lucid before falling asleep. The effectiveness is moderate on average: This is not profanity, but it is not a universal tool either," concluded Kalyuzhin.

On January 20, National Geographic magazine reported a reduction in blood pressure while maintaining the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). It was clarified that this diet has remained the most effective for several decades. According to the publication, systolic blood pressure can decrease as early as a few weeks after the start of maintaining such a diet.

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