Lucid dreaming and the bimodality of consciousness
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Allan Hobson
Abstract
In this essay, we develop our working hypothesis that consciousness in primates and humans is a state-dependent commodity that has at least two expressions. Waking and dreaming are two such states that differ in conscious awareness. In both states, we are perceptive and emotional. Whereas in dreaming, our thoughts are delusional, however, waking consciousness potentiates volition and reflection. We propose that dreaming is a state of primary consciousness, while usually, secondary consciousness is reserved to waking. Lucid dreaming is an extraordinary state with elements of both waking and dreaming and both primary and secondary consciousness. It is a rare but very real condition which is a promising tool in the study of the brain basis of consciousness.
Abstract
In this essay, we develop our working hypothesis that consciousness in primates and humans is a state-dependent commodity that has at least two expressions. Waking and dreaming are two such states that differ in conscious awareness. In both states, we are perceptive and emotional. Whereas in dreaming, our thoughts are delusional, however, waking consciousness potentiates volition and reflection. We propose that dreaming is a state of primary consciousness, while usually, secondary consciousness is reserved to waking. Lucid dreaming is an extraordinary state with elements of both waking and dreaming and both primary and secondary consciousness. It is a rare but very real condition which is a promising tool in the study of the brain basis of consciousness.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
- Prologue xiii
- Poem xxv
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Section I. Neuronal mechanisms
- The slow cortical potential hypothesis on consciousness 3
- Distinct characteristics of conscious experience are met by large-scale neuronal synchronization 17
- Gamma oscillations and the cellular components of consciousness? 29
- Dopamine modulation of decision making processes 39
- Undercurrents of consciousness 53
- Disconnecting consciousness 65
- Consciousness and neural time travel 73
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Section II. Psychological processes
- Consciousness and the relation between implicit and explicit memory 83
- Two varieties of unconscious processes 91
- Operating characteristics and awareness 103
- Noise in the brain, decision-making, determinism, free will, and consciousness 113
- Social consciousness 121
- Consciousness and language 129
- Cognitive illusions 139
- Dreaming as a model system for consciousness research 149
- Lucid dreaming and the bimodality of consciousness 155
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Section III. Psychopathologies and therapies
- Why depression feels bad 169
- Dementia and the boundary between conscious and nonconscious awareness 179
- Consciousness as the spin-off and schizophrenia as the price of language 187
- Consciousness and psychosis associated with schizophrenia 201
- The visual unconscious 215
- Believing is hearing is believing 227
- Dreaming as a physiological psychosis 239
- Conscious awareness versus optimistic beliefs in recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users 249
- Conscious and unconscious placebo responses 259
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Section IV. Expanding boundaries
- The paradoxes of creativity 271
- Potential contributions of research on meditation to the neuroscience of consciousness 281
- Self-induced altered states of consciousness 289
- Beyond the boundaries of the brain 301
- Plants of the gods and shamanic journeys 309
- Index 325
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
- Prologue xiii
- Poem xxv
-
Section I. Neuronal mechanisms
- The slow cortical potential hypothesis on consciousness 3
- Distinct characteristics of conscious experience are met by large-scale neuronal synchronization 17
- Gamma oscillations and the cellular components of consciousness? 29
- Dopamine modulation of decision making processes 39
- Undercurrents of consciousness 53
- Disconnecting consciousness 65
- Consciousness and neural time travel 73
-
Section II. Psychological processes
- Consciousness and the relation between implicit and explicit memory 83
- Two varieties of unconscious processes 91
- Operating characteristics and awareness 103
- Noise in the brain, decision-making, determinism, free will, and consciousness 113
- Social consciousness 121
- Consciousness and language 129
- Cognitive illusions 139
- Dreaming as a model system for consciousness research 149
- Lucid dreaming and the bimodality of consciousness 155
-
Section III. Psychopathologies and therapies
- Why depression feels bad 169
- Dementia and the boundary between conscious and nonconscious awareness 179
- Consciousness as the spin-off and schizophrenia as the price of language 187
- Consciousness and psychosis associated with schizophrenia 201
- The visual unconscious 215
- Believing is hearing is believing 227
- Dreaming as a physiological psychosis 239
- Conscious awareness versus optimistic beliefs in recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users 249
- Conscious and unconscious placebo responses 259
-
Section IV. Expanding boundaries
- The paradoxes of creativity 271
- Potential contributions of research on meditation to the neuroscience of consciousness 281
- Self-induced altered states of consciousness 289
- Beyond the boundaries of the brain 301
- Plants of the gods and shamanic journeys 309
- Index 325
