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Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003100140001-2 730 S. P. LA BERGE, ET AL. The most complicated signal (shown in Fig. 1) consites of a single up- ward dream-eye movement followed by a series of left (L) and right (R) dream-fist clenches in che order “LLL LRLL.” This sequert s equivalent to the subject's initials in Morse code (LLL =... = 8S; Sie. = L). The complexity of this signal argues against che possibilicy chat the EMG discharges might be spontaneous. That all cases of lucid dream signaling occurred during epochs scored as REM sleep specifies, to a certain extent, the physiology of| lucid dreaming as “a relatively low voltage, mixed frequency EEG in conjun¢tion with episodic REMs and low amplitude electromyogram (EMG)" (Rechtschaffen & Kales, 1968). This definition allows variation in the three parameters, the details of which will be reported elsewhere. In brief, the variatio terns of the lucid dream polysomnograms were typical sporadic “saw-tooth” waves as well as alpha and theta chy fulness. The occasional, but normal, appearance of alp hi wave usually associated with wakefulness), in the EEG ci raises the possibility that lucid dreaming could occur duri tial arousals or “micro-awakenings” (Schwartz & Lefebvre, alpha rhythm need not be present during lucid dream s by Fig. 2. Furthermore, some of the lucid dreams were in the EEG pat- f REM sleep, ie., , and not wake- thytchm (a braio ing REM periods g momentary par- 1973). However, ‘eqaling, as is shown eral minutes long, ruling out any explanation based on the notion of brief inttusions of wakeful- ness, (A) AWAKE (B) LUCID DREAM BEG, Ayaan i Maal endl gy EMG wrist Fic. 2. Comparison of EEG (C3/A2) during lucid dream si mediately after awakening (A). The continuous waking alpha this subject is clearly distinct from the mixed frequency patterns Although other EEG patterns are compatible with wakefulness, the the pactern oormally exhibited when subjects awaken from sleep. activicy prominent in the lucid dream sample (B) is highly charact (Calibrations: 50 uV; 1 sec.) DISCUSSION ing (B) and im- 0 Hz) activity for during REM sleep. e¢ 2- to 4-Hz EEG istic of REM sleep. fhe illustrated is How do we know that the subjects were “really asleep!’ when they com- municated the signals? Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003100140001-2 If we allow perception of the external world as a