In most cases, during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is the stage associated with dreaming, our eye movements are not under our conscious control. This phenomenon is known as "rapid eye movement" because our eyes move rapidly in various directions during this stage. It's a natural part of the sleep cycle and is controlled by the brainstem and associated neurological processes.
While we cannot directly control our eye movements during dreaming, some people may experience "lucid dreaming." Lucid dreaming is a state where the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming and, in some cases, gains some degree of control over the dream's content, including their actions and sometimes even their eye movements.
Lucid dreaming is a skill that can be cultivated through practice and various techniques. Here are some tips to increase the likelihood of experiencing lucid dreams and potentially gaining some control over your dream's elements, including eye movements:
Reality checks: Throughout the day, perform reality checks to determine whether you are dreaming or awake. These checks can become habits, leading you to perform them even in your dreams, where the results might be unusual or inconsistent.
Keep a dream journal: Keep a journal by your bedside and write down your dreams as soon as you wake up. This practice can improve dream recall and increase your awareness of dream patterns.
Reality testing within dreams: When you are dreaming, try to question the reality of the situation and perform a reality check (e.g., looking at a clock or your hands, then looking away, and looking back to see if the time or your hands have changed). In a dream, these things often behave erratically, which may trigger lucidity.
MILD technique: Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD) is a technique where you set an intention to recognize when you are dreaming. As you go to bed, repeat a mantra such as "I will know when I'm dreaming" to reinforce the intention.
WBTB (Wake-Back-to-Bed): Wake up after about 5-6 hours of sleep, stay awake for a short period (30-60 minutes), and then go back to sleep. This can increase the chances of entering a lucid dream state.
It's important to note that lucid dreaming is a skill that may take time and practice to develop. Not everyone will be able to achieve full control over their dreams, including eye movements, but the process of attempting to lucid dream can still be interesting and rewarding in itself. If you're interested in exploring lucid dreaming, it's essential to research and approach the subject responsibly.