‘The Neuroscientific Nexus of Meditation, Lucid Dreaming, and Everyday Life’-pt2-Exploring the realms of neuroscience my way.

 Do you become aware amidst dreaming that you are dreaming? Do you wonder why the brain works so miraculously and what shall we gain by knowing the magical science behind this mere-sounding concept? Hello there! I am back with another exploration of neuroscience, my way. It happens sometimes that you are asleep, and only after a while you somehow become aware that you are dreaming. This phenomenon in science is called ‘ Lucid Dreaming’. Lucid dreams are associated with increased physiological activation, as measured by increased phasic activity (e.g., increased REM density). Autonomic nervous system arousal (e.g., heart rate, respiration rate, takes place due to ongoing thought processes and undelated impulses in our brain which ultimately come from stress, anxiety, overthinking even recalling memories! Lucid dreaming thus provides a way to establish precise psychophysiological correlations between the contents of consciousness during sleep and physiological measures, as well as enables experimental control over the content of dreams, and therefore provides a potentially highly useful experimental methodology.

It shall be a very knowledgeable, interesting and believe me fruitful concept to know about. In this very special 100th blog we shall take a step closer towards curiosity; the fuel to drive knowledge!

“Often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is nothing but a dream” I take a bow; Aristotle! What a definition of ‘Lucid dreaming’ Let's talk about something interesting - the science of sleep. Did you know that when you're in that in-between stage of not quite asleep but not fully awake, it's called the "lucid stage"? Scientists have found that during this stage, our brains show signs of cognitive activity and awareness as we drift from consciousness to unconsciousness. It's pretty fascinating stuff! We keep on running thoughts in our minds. You know, all kinds of thoughts of the universe!

But how did the scientist prove this? – Something called REM. REM is Rapid Eye Movement in Sleep. During sleep, scientists use special methods to record eye movement and gather information about brain activity. This research has shown that the brain is activated and responsive during dreams. The fronto-parietal area of the brain, which is responsible for functions such as metacognitive activation, logic, experience analysis, and emotional response, is particularly active. It has been observed that we tend to dream about things we have experienced or thought about during the day. In the resting phase, the brain processes the impulses that it has received throughout the day.

Science proves the increased oscillatory activity in the beta band during lucid dreaming reflects a mechanism of integration between parietal regions and other areas, which, in some way still to be understood, helps facilitate lucid dreaming. Well, the Beta band is a band of brain waves [ 13-30 hz] Did you know that the frequency at which you are fully awake is also the frequency at which you can subconsciously visualize, react, and project your thoughts? This can potentially help you create things with the energy of a conscious state. The manifestation game begins here. It's fascinating how neuroscience concepts can be applied in various ways, regardless of how unusual they may seem.

Now that you know how your brain works, you can use it to manifest what you want. Your brain visualizes a recap of the day and communicates with the subconscious, and this affects your cognitive functions, leading to manifestation. This is a simple explanation of how it works. So, if you have something you want to manifest, like good grades or buying something you've always dreamt of, focus on it intently. This will develop neural signals and create a subconscious connection. You have the power to control what you dream and respond to. It's all about ignition!

Many of us are aware of meditation and its benefits. I would like to share a case study that highlights the incredible strength of meditation in a scientific manner. During meditation, the mind often wanders from the chosen object of focus, and it is the meditator's responsibility to recognize this and bring their attention back to the gentle rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. In this study, the meditator had to signal mind wandering by pressing a button and then recenter their mind. Over time, the frequency of 'pressing the button' decreased, indicating that the frequency of mind wandering had reduced with the practice of pure awareness. This is an excellent example of the importance of being aware of one's mental state. Only when we know where our mind is going can we take action to bring ourselves back to the present moment. This is especially important in today's world, where we face numerous challenges and distractions. 

Expert meditators exhibit reduced brain activity in anxiety-related regions, such as the insular cortex and the amygdala, in the period leading up to a painful stimulus compared to novices. It also builds up new neural connections and strengthens the existing which upgrades one’s skills.  Several studies have shown that practising mindfulness can help decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve sleep patterns. The benefits of meditation on the brain include the formation of new neural pathways, increases in the grey matter[which otherwise reduces as we age!], and the shrinking of the amygdala, which is also known as the fear centre of the brain. Interestingly, the parts of the brain activated during meditation are nearly identical to those activated during lucid dreaming, suggesting that both practices have similar effects and can be applied in daily life to achieve optimal results.

It's disheartening to see so much content on social media that conveys a lack of awareness these days. But rather than dwelling on this, we can use it as an opportunity to improve ourselves. Our brains are amazing, and they have a way of signalling what we need to work on. Now that we have this knowledge, it's up to us to implement it. By becoming more conscious of our daily actions, conversations, thoughts, and goals, and staying present in the moment, we can truly experience the essence of being alive by:

• Practicing meditation can help you relax your mind whenever it tries to wander. Being more aware of the present moment can also help. 

• You can consciously approve your activities for the day and mindfully witness your schedule.

• Reducing the amount of useless content and media that you consume can also help reduce the cheap dosage of dopamine to your brain. 

• Good physical exercise is also important. 

• Lastly, reading or listening to content that focuses on your goals and cognitive impulses before you sleep can be beneficial. 

• Being updated about scientific ways and how your brain works can also help you lead a more sorted life. 

We can improve our lives by being more aware and fulfilled. How? By practicing Lucid Dreaming and Meditative science. Consider exploring these concepts to experience their benefits-

• It's important to know that you have complete control over what content enters your subconscious and ultimately manifests in your life. 

• By practising awareness and mastering your thought and action process, you can strengthen your brain and achieve mastery over your life. 

• Consistency is key in applying the main concept of manifesting through meditation and lucid dreaming –

 This will lead you to greater emotional and logical stability. You'll notice a significant boost in your mental health and decision-making abilities. So why wait? Let's activate your brain and take charge of your life!

Congratulations on reading ‘The Manual on Making the Most Charming Version of Yourself Socially!’

-Shrutika V. Patankar ©️