In modern Western culture, people often disregard dreams as mere fluff that our brains discard as we slumber. But throughout history and cultures, humans have valued dreaming in different ways. Dreams are seen as a door or bridge to the spirit world or the subconscious. They are often full of symbology from our lives, become outlets for our deepest concerns and fears, or offer us tools for self-reflection and a map to our current state of mind and heart. Although we can dream at any stage of sleep, our most vivid dreams occur during our REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycle, so depending on how well we sleep, we may spend more than two hours each night in some form of dream state. Sleep researchers tell us that deep non-REM sleep rests our bodies and refills our tanks to start another day and REM sleep is crucial for dreaming, memory consolidation, emotional processing, and healthy brain development.
Sleep comes in two categories: REM and non-REM, and we often cycle between them throughout the time we are sleeping, starting with non-REM and then a period of REM, and then back to non-REM, etc. During the REM cycles, our brain activity and heart rate increase to a more wakeful state, our eyes move from side to side, and our breathing becomes faster and more irregular. This cycle is when we have the most vivid dreams and is also when our amygdala—the part of our brain that processes emotions—is activated. During REM sleep, our brains process emotions as well as new things we’ve learned and also sort through what to do with that information: commit it to memory, set it aside for later, delete it entirely, etc. Additionally, there is a link between REM sleep and brain development, which explains why babies spend so much more time in REM sleep than adults.
In so many ways, it behooves us to support a healthy, full sleep, complete with the vivid REM dreams that help our minds sort through emotions and memories (and discard fluff along the way). Happily we know from centuries of use that our herbal allies can help.
The herb that is perhaps best known for supporting healthy dreaming is mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). Among its many uses, Mugwort has been used traditionally in formulations meant to address situational stress and to promote sleep, but is particularly celebrated for its impact on dreaming. It is classified as an herbal oneirogen (from the Greek ὄνειρος óneiros meaning "dream" and gen "to create”), which is a plant that produces or enhances dreamlike states of consciousness. It is said to support lucid dreaming and increase clarity and awareness when we wake so we remember our dreams better. People use mugwort leaves for this purpose in tea, tinctures, and smoking blends and hang bundles of mugwort above the bed or put the herb under their pillows to stimulate vivid dreams and access the unconscious psyche.
The following tea blend recipe blends mugwort with other balancing herbal allies that support healthful rest, openness, cerebral activity, and memory to enliven your dreamscape and emotional processing.
Tea Recipe for Lucid Dreaming
Makes one 8 oz. cup.
Ingredients
- 3 parts organic mugwort
- 2 parts organic chamomile flowers
- 2 parts organic butterfly pea flowers (optional, but adds lovely color)
- 1 part organic lemon balm
- 1 part organic rose petals
- 1 part organic rosemary leaf
- 1 part organic spearmint leaf
Directions
- Combine herbs in a bowl and gently toss together.
- Store in an airtight container away from sunlight and heat until ready to use.
To Make Tea
- Bring 1 cup water to a near boil, about 180- 200° F. (A full boil is also fine.)
- Fill a reusable tea infuser, cotton tea net, or a disposable tea filter with about 1 Tbsp. herb blend. Alternatively, put the herb blend directly into a cup and plan to strain herbs out after.
- Pour water over tea blend and steep 3-5 minutes, or until desired strength.
- Remove infuser or strain out herbs and enjoy!
Precautions: Mugwort may induce uterine contractions, so avoid ingesting if pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Also, we do not have enough information to know if mugwort is safe for babies, so avoid ingesting when breastfeeding. Finally, mugwort contains thujone, which can be harmful if taken in large quantities. Speak with your doctor before taking mugwort, especially if you have epilepsy or are taking anti-seizure medication.
Want Another DIY Project to Encourage Lucid Dreaming?
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FAQs
People use mugwort leaves for this purpose in tea, tinctures, and smoking blends and hang bundles of mugwort above the bed or put the herb under their pillows to stimulate vivid dreams and access the unconscious psyche.
How do you make lucid dream tea? ›
Things You Should Know
Mugwort is thought to aid insomnia and irregular menstrual cycles, and has been proven to have antioxidant and antifungal properties. Mix mugwort with white tea, camomile, cinnamon, and nutmeg to make a tea for lucid dreaming.
Can you lucid dream in a deep sleep? ›
When Do Lucid Dreams Happen? Lucid dreams are most common during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a period of very deep sleep marked by eye motion, faster breathing, and more brain activity.
What stimulates lucid dreaming? ›
While some people experience lucid dreaming spontaneously, for others it only occurs after an external stimulus (such as having a conversation, watching a video or reading an article about lucid dreaming), or sometimes after a lot of hard work trying to achieve one.
What is the secret to lucid dreaming? ›
Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD)
After waking up from a dream, you repeat a phrase or affirmation to yourself, such as "The next time I dream, I will remember that I am dreaming." This practice helps prime your mind to become aware of the dream state and increases the chances of having a lucid dream.
What is lucid dream tea? ›
Lucid Dreams is a soothing, caffeine-free, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic turmeric-tulsi-tea based on our famous Coconut Chai recipe! Steep as a golden milk latte or pour over ice & savor the intoxicating flavors of cinnamon, vanilla & coconut as the herbs soothe your nerves and calm your mind.
What does mugwort do for sleep? ›
Mugwort has traditionally been used to soothe anxiety, as well as calm folks who are recovering from traumas like a seizure or drug overdose (Barrett & McNamara, 2012). Due to its calming nature, mugwort is often associated with sleep; however, its effects on dreams are what mugwort is most known for.
What does mugwort do spiritually? ›
"Mugwort is a powerful visionary herb that has been used for centuries to connect us to the spiritual realms. It enhances intuition, psychic powers, and dream work, and is a sacred plant for many indigenous cultures.
What kind of high does mugwort give you? ›
It contains various compounds, including terpenes and flavonoids, which can have mild psychoactive effects when ingested or inhaled. The psychoactive properties of mugwort are primarily attributed to its ability to enhance dream vividness, promote relaxation, and induce altered states of consciousness.
What not to do in lucid dreams? ›
Let's get started;
- ##1 Don't think about your body while in a lucid dream. ...
- ##2 Do not dream of real-life memories. ...
- ##3 Don't look in mirrors in lucid dreams. ...
- ##4 Do not doubt yourself in lucid dreams. ...
- ##5 Don't get excited. ...
- ##6 Don't kill people in lucid dreams. ...
- ##7 Don't close your eyes. ...
- ##8 Don't second-guess yourself.
"However, one cannot get trapped inside a lucid dream indefinitely, as it is biologically impossible to stay asleep for too long a period of time. The dreamer will awaken no matter what, once the sleep cycle is over."
How rare is lucid dreaming? ›
Generally, lucid dreaming is quite rare. Only one half of the general population know the phenomenon from personal experience, approximately 20% have lucid dreams on a monthly basis, and only a minority of approximately 1% have lucid dreams several times a week.
What supplements cause vivid dreams? ›
You're taking a melatonin supplement
Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your circadian rhythm (i.e., your sleep-wake cycle). [8] Melatonin sleep supplements are a popular treatment available OTC. The thing is, they're often sold in high doses (1-3 milligrams) that can cause side effects, including crazy dreams.
What drug causes vivid dreams? ›
And while they don't happen to everyone, it's helpful to be aware of some of the most common offenders.
- Metoprolol and other beta blockers. ...
- Prozac and other antidepressants. ...
- Antihistamines. ...
- Sleep aids: Ambien, melatonin, and other Z-drugs. ...
- Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. ...
- Cipro and other antibiotics and antivirals.
It is possible to learn to lucid dream in two weeks or less, but it depends on several factors such as your level of motivation, your ability to recall dreams, and your natural aptitude for lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming involves being aware that you are dreaming while you are still in the dream state.
Can you make your own lucid dream? ›
There are several techniques to induce lucid dreams, but Adventure-Heart's research found one particularly effective. The MILD, or Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams technique involves setting an intention: Go to sleep normally and try meditating or reading about lucid dreaming before drifting off to sleep.
How can I make myself lucid dream tonight? ›
Mnemonic induction of lucid dreams, AKA the MILD technique, involves recognizing dream signs (like flying or falling) and consciously identifying that this is a dream. Upon recognizing the dream sign, tell yourself “The next time I'm dreaming, I will remember that I'm dreaming”.
Why does apple juice help with lucid dreaming? ›
According to an article by Amerisleep, apple juice may produce more vivid dreams by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Yet, the same article disputes the claim that apple juice can cause any lucid dreams (very on par with pre-existing doctoral bias against apples).
Can you drink mugwort tea everyday? ›
It is possible to take too much mugwort. While no studies define safe consumption limits, research shows that taking a lot of mugwort can lead to miscarriage, nausea, vomiting, and nervous system damage. 2 Consult with your healthcare provider and read the product's instructions before using mugwort.
