Dream-body transformation in lucid dreaming: Revealing the plasticity potential of the subconscious “self-image”

Abstract

Objective: Lucid dreams (LDs) have been gaining popularity throughout the world in recent decades. However, this phenomenon has been known to humanity since the appearance of polyphasic shamanic cultures in which dreams played an important role. An important part of such practices was a dream-body transformation into the animal spirit, which allowed us to obtain a deep connection with nature. In this study, we explored to which extent the practitioners can transform their dream bodies into animals. The other part of the experiment investigated whether people could transform their dream bodies into the opposite sex. The results will contribute to the current understanding of the nature of LDs and the plasticity potential of self-identity in the dreaming subconscious mind. Method: We instructed 98 volunteers to transform their dream bodies into the body of a wolf. Upon achieving dream lucidity, the task was to transform into an animal completely (using the body and senses). During the second part of the experiment, participants were asked to transform their dream bodies into the opposite sex and try to feel all the corresponding sexual characteristics. Results: During the current experiment, 32 participants were able to succeed in “wolf transformation.” In 85% of cases, at least partial success of body transformation was reported. The most interesting outcome was the reported changes in the emotional state, motivation, and behavior. Meanwhile, the gender transformation experiment caused much psychological resistance, presumably due to the influence of social conditioning. However, 79 participants reported success in the experiment, either in terms of physiology or changes in their emotional state (psychology). Discussion: The results suggest that LDs have great potential in terms of both therapeutic use (since they help people gain access to the deeper layers of the subconscious mind and transform their “self-image”) and as a tool for the theoretical exploration of the nature of consciousness and self-identity.