Lucid dreaming masks are a bit different from your regular sleeping masks. They are meant to make it easier for you to achieve lucidity while you’re dreaming.
How?
To start off, lucid dreaming masks utilize advancements in the field of research and sleep. They are designed to trigger lucidity through a number of ways.
There are lucid dreaming masks that work through auditory or light-based cues. Some of them can stimulate your REM sleep while others can monitor your full sleep cycle.
Because of how they work, these masks are able to help those who wants to experience lucid dreaming.
Benefits of Lucid Dreaming Masks
It balances the circadian rhythm
If you are having a hard time getting to sleep or you still feel tired despite getting a good night’s rest, it’s probably because of your Circadian rhythm getting disrupted.
One of the most common reasons is light.
Your electronic devices, alarm clock, and even the street lights coming through the sides of your curtains can trick your brain into believing it’s not yet time to sleep. And as you find it harder to sleep, it becomes more difficult for you to experience lucid dreaming.
By wearing a lucid dreaming mask, you’ll be able to block all those lights, allowing the photosensitive receptor cells in your eyes to interpret it as a signal for your body to sleep. It triggers your brain to convert serotonin into melatonin so you can sleep deeper and fall asleep faster.
It helps you regain awareness
With lucid dreaming, your goal is to gain awareness so you can be in control of your dreams.
Most masks feature light cues to help you be conscious in your dreams. Some play beeping sounds to make you aware of your dreams.
Because lucid dreaming masks don’t all work the same way, you have to do your research before you invest in one. You should also consider what cues can work best for you.
For example, if sounds distract you, then you’ll be better off with masks that flash lights.
It boosts your ability to recall your dreams
Listen closely to this:
People who are into lucid dreaming considers the stimulation of the optic nerve upon waking up as the main reason why we forget our dreams right away.
If you wake up without getting exposed to any light, you’ll be able to focus and concentrate on remembering your dreams. There won’t be any chemical signals to overcome your effort.
Now, why is dream recall that important?
Being able to recall your dreams is one way for you to recognize patterns, signals, and characters. The more you are able to recognize those things, the more likely you’ll be able to induce lucidity.
It helps you practice meditation
Lucid dreaming masks aren’t only great for triggering lucid dreams when you’re asleep. They are also a great help in inducing quality meditation for a technique known as Wake Induced LucidDreams.
Because there are no visual stimulations, you’ll be able to focus on your awareness and enter the realm of dreams faster.
How Do Lucid Dreaming Masks Work
Now that you know the benefits of lucid dreaming masks, let’s move on to a question you’re probably itching to have answered: How do lucid dreaming masks do their magic?
Let me explain in detail.
Lucid dreaming masks emit LED lights and sounds as cues to your brain that you are already in the dreaming state. As a response, your brain incorporates those cues into your dream, causing you to become aware.
However, for the masks to work, you have to do a reality check to reach awareness. You can ask yourself if you are dreaming, push your fingers through your palm or touch your dream environment.
Best Lucid Dreaming Masks
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1. Dream Essentials Escape Luxury Travel and Sleep Mask
Dream Essentials Escape Luxury Travel and Sleep Mask can block 100% light. This is a great help in inducing lucidity in your dreams since there won’t be any visual stimuli to overpower your focus.
The mask features an eye cavity to make sure your eyes won’t feel too much pressure as you sleep. This part is made of 100% cotton fabric that’s soft on the face. It won’t scratch or irritate your delicate eye areas.
Another nice thing about this mask is that it works even for side sleepers. Because it’s flexible, it won’t make it hard for you to sleep in your most comfortable sleeping position.
It’s fully adjustable, too. It comes with an elastic strap instead of a Velcro which means you won’t have to worry about catching hair and dirt on your mask’s strap.
The mask comes in a cellophane bag. It’s a nice feature for those who like traveling since you can conveniently carry it wherever you go. There’s a pair of earplugs as well. They are packed in a plastic bag to ensure hygiene. Now, if you are not into wearing earplugs as you sleep, you can simply leave the plugs inside the packaging.
2. Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask
https://amzn.to/2VJ9gug is lightweight and extremely comfortable. It can effectively block out light without causing too much pressure on your lids or smudging your eye makeup. Its eye cavities are great in that you can even open your eyes while wearing the mask.
Now, if you are a stomach sleeper, the mask will also work nicely for you. Even though it’s contoured, it’s not too stiff. It comes in a carrying case which means you can take it with you to the airport, hotel or even the train.
Similar to Dream Essential’s mask, this one also has an elastic band which you can use to get the perfect fit. It won’t be too tight to cause headaches or too loose to hinder your sleep. You won’t even notice the strap too much when you’re lying in bed.
The mask is really easy to clean. You can just wash it in cool water and mild detergent. As for drying, you can lay it flat or use a hair dryer to speed up the process.
3. Mindfold Sleep and Relaxation Eye Mask
Mindfold Sleep and Relaxation Eye Mask features a unique design to make sure no light can disturb your sleep or your dream. It can even block the light creeping through the nasal area.
The mask has a high-density foam inside and a light and flexible outer part. Despite how it looks, you’ll be surprised at how lightweight this mask is.
It has two Velcro flaps at each side of the strap which make it easier to adjust. The downside?
Having two Velcro flaps increases the likelihood of getting things trapped. The flaps are also a bit hard to line up but that’s not too bothersome.
4. Glo to Sleep – Sleeping Eye Mask
Glo to Sleep – Sleeping Eye Mask is a bit more technical than the other lucid dreaming masks in this list. For one, it doesn’t just block light but it also works to slow down your brain’s wave activity.
It has 4 glowing points inside the mask. By looking and focusing on those glowing points, you’ll be able to get into a more relaxed and meditative state.
As a result, you’ll be able to fall asleep easier.
Using the mask isn’t hard at all. To activate those points, you’ll only need to hold the mask towards a light source for about 30 to 60 seconds.
Once the lights are activated, you can slip the mask on, focus on the points, and you’ll be asleep soon.
The steps might seem intimidating or overwhelming at first. However, once you get used to it, the process is actually very easy.
Apart from ease of use, the mask is also comfortable to wear. It features a soft foam eye mask that fits perfectly on the face. It effectively blocks out light, aside from the glowing points inside it.
5. Crystal Rejuvenation REM Sleep Mask
Crystal Rejuvenation REM Sleep Mask sits comfortably on the face while blocking out light. It features Bio Magnets that can trigger your acupressure points, allowing you to feel more at ease and relaxed. Despite those magnets, you won’t have any issues wearing it.
One nice feature of this mask is the mp3 track it comes with. Each person who buys it will receive binaural beats to soothe and help get one into a meditative state.
Binaural beats, in case you are wondering, can help stimulate and change the state of your brain. Playing and hearing it can help you sleep, think, and dream better. It can help you with visual and auditory hypnagogia as well.
6. DreamTime Inner Peace Eye Pillow
This one might sound a bit weird but it actually works.
DreamTime Inner Peace Eye Pillow is more than just a pillow for your eyes. As a sensory relaxation tool, it can help you rest, recharge, and fall sleep quickly. It can also help ease stress and tension.
What makes this eye pillow extra special is that it combines gentle acupressure with aromatherapy. It’s filled with orange, chamomile, and lavender granules to induce relaxation.
If you like traveling, this mask makes a great investment. It can easily conform to the contours of your eyes, creating a relaxing feeling anytime and anywhere.
7. Remee Dreamer
Remee Dreamer has both light and auditory cues to help you experience lucid dreaming faster. It flashes lights and plays beeping sounds when you’re in the REM stage. It can also play your own voice messages.
Now, if you are worried about the sound waking your partner up, don’t worry. The mask actually has a headphone attached to it near the ear.
8. Neuroon Smart Sleep Mask
Neuroon Smart Sleep Mask offers a lot of things.
For one, it can help you realign your body’s internal clock when you’re traveling. It features an artificial sunrise to help you wake up naturally and avoid the nasty effects of getting jet lagged.
The mask can also analyze your sleep and provide feedback so you can adjust your sleeping routine. This is probably the only mask that can do that.
And you know what else?
The mask also comes with an app. It knows when you’re already on the REM stage and flashes lights to trigger awareness.
Now, with all those neat features, you should expect it to be a bit more expensive than the other masks in this list.
9. Aurora Sleep Mask
If you are looking for something much simpler, go with Aurora Sleep Mask. It flashes two LED lights to signal that you’re already dreaming.
Like Neuroon, this mask has a subtle way of waking you up so you can feel more vibrant and fresh from your sleep. All you need to do is put in the time you need to wake up and the mask will do your alarm clock’s job.
Aurora Sleep Mask is pretty comfortable. It doesn’t take a lot of time getting used to. In fact, once you slip it on, you’ll forget that you’re wearing it.
One nice thing about this mask is that it can help you know every detail of your sleeping pattern so you can make the most out of your sleep cycle.
The only con to this mask is its hefty price tag. If you are on a tight budget, this might not be the best lucid dreaming mask for you. However, if you want to sleep better, wake up naturally, and capitalize on your sleeping patterns, this is a definite must-have for you.
