Dream Consciousness and Sleep Physiology

Abstract

This chapter addresses the question as to how dream consciousness is related to the physiology of the sleeping body. By reviewing studies conducted in the field of dream and lucid dream research on REM sleep it can be shown that correlations between dreamed and actual actions can be found for central nervous activity, autonomic responses and time aspects. In future research, methodological problems have to be considered and fMRI studies will make it possible to study the relationship between brain activation and dream content in a detailed way. Studying the body–mind interaction in sleep seems a promising way to understanding dream consciousness in particular and consciousness in general.