If you’ve ever watched Inception, you’ve probably wondered what it’s like to experience lucid dreaming. The Christopher Nolan movie might not have been the most scientifically accurate representation, but it’s true that you can figure out ways to control your dreams in real life.
There’s more to lucid dreaming than just being able to fly in your dreams — studies show that it can also help people become more self-aware with better attention spans.
You can train your brain to experience lucid dreams, but there are also lucid dreaming drugs and supplements that you can take to make lucid dreams even more likely.
If this is something you’ve always wanted to experience, read on to find out which herbs and supplements make lucid dreams easier.
1. Mugwort
It might sound like something out of Harry Potter or Macbeth, but mugwort is a real plant with several medicinal uses. One of its benefits is making dreams more vivid and colorful. It can also help you become more aware of that fact that you’re dreaming, which is a key step in lucid dreaming.
If you want to have a dreaming experience that’s a real treat for your senses, make tea from the mugwort leaves and drink it a few hours before you go to bed.
2. 5-HTP
You’ve probably heard of serotonin in conversations about clinical depression. Scientists believe that the hormone is responsible for things like our moods, sleep, memory, and emotions.
5-HTP can help to increase your serotonin levels at night when you’re sleeping, which in turn helps you spend more time in a deep sleep. It probably won’t help you lucid dream on its own, but it will help you to remember your dreams when you wake up.
This is a good one to take along with mugwort to increase the chance of both lucid dreaming and actually remembering the dream when you wake up.
3. Burdock
The last thing you want is to have a lucid nightmare. On the one hand, you would be able to tell that you’re dreaming and not actually experiencing anything terrifying.
On the other, a lucid nightmare sounds like the stuff of…well, nightmares.
To avoid this, burdock is a great herb to use to help make sure that you have positive dreams. It also has a lot of other great health benefits, like regulating digestion, lowering your blood pressure, and even improving your skin.
4. Valerian Root
Insomniacs are probably well-acquainted with this next herb on our list. Valerian is often used to help treat insomnia since it’s a powerful relaxant that can help you sink into a deep sleep.
The root itself can help you fall asleep faster, experience a deeper sleep, and increase the likelihood of lucid dreaming during your sleep cycle. You can get this in capsules to avoid the scent. Valerian flowers smell sweet, but fair warning — the same can’t be said for the roots.
5. Wild Asparagus Root
There’s a reason that wild asparagus root is nicknamed “the flying herb” in lucid dreaming circles. It has been used as a medicinal root in China for millennia and is said to help people improve their connections to the universe.
The root helps to relax the mind, and since you’re relaxed when you fall asleep after using it, you can often experience lucid dreams where you’re flying through the air. Chances are good that its effects will stick around when you’re awake, too, making you a calmer and happier person overall.
6. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba was also used in ancient Chinese medicine. (When it comes to lucid dreaming, many of the herbs and supplements that occur naturally in East Asian countries are good to have nearby.) It’s one of the longest living tree species ever.
Ginkgo leaves can help to improve your memory and increase your brain function. Not only does this increase the chance of lucid dreaming, but it also helps you to remember the dream when you wake up.
7. Choline
If you really want to improve your dream recall, though, choline should be your go-to. Choline isn’t an herb, but it is a vitamin-like nutrient that you can take through different supplements.
Choline is one of the best supplements that you can take to improve your dream recall.
8. DHEA
All of the lucid dreaming supplements listed above will help to increase your chance of a lucid dream, or your chances of remembering them when you wake up. If you want to improve your ability to control your dreams, then DHEA should be on your next shopping list.
DHEA is a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands that are available as a supplement. Some people also claim that it has anti-aging properties, but there isn’t enough evidence to back that up yet.
9. Huperzine-A
Huperzine-A is a substance that comes from a Chinese moss, so it’s not technically an herb. It’s probably better classified as a drug since it’s so highly purified.
This helps to increase access to your memory while you sleep, which in turn helps to improve your lucid dreams. It’s so effective at getting people in touch with their memory banks that it’s even used to help treat patients with Alzheimer’s.
10. Calea Zacatechichi
This herb is native to Mexico and Central America and is also known as the “dream herb” in English. Even if you’ve never remembered a dream in your life, this can help boost your recall of even regular dreams.
Taking this herb helps you have dreams that are meaningful and vivid. This is a great herb to start with when you’re just beginning your lucid dreaming journey, especially since you’ll remember your dreams so well after taking it.
Learn About Supplements Like Lucid Dreaming Drugs
All of the lucid dreaming drugs and supplements above can help you have a better experience when you’re dreaming, whether they’re used alone or in a combination of herbs. Of course, you should always check with your doctor to make sure that whatever you choose is right for you.
Looking for more information about natural herbs and supplements to help you achieve altered states of mind? You’re in the right place. Check out our favorite ways to get high with natural herbs.