Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming

Newsflash: all new solo podcast episodes will now only be available via Dr. Clare Johnson's mailing list, subscribe free: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/  Separately, in January 2026 Dr. Clare is offering a live online class (the first in a whole year): "Fire Up Your Lucidity!" Join us for a remarkable 6-week journey into lucid dreaming with interactive games, challenges and weekly lucidity rituals. https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/p/fire-up-your-lucidity  Have you ever stayed lucid all night long, shifting from lucid hypnagogia through lucid dreams, along with stints in the lucid void? In this episode, Dr. Clare offers 5 tips to help you with this advanced lucidity practice. Dates for 2026 retreats: Portugal, Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreat, May 19-23. https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/p/lucid-dreaming-ocean-retreat Hawaii, Healing Dreams Retreat, June 20-24 https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/p/lucid-dreaming-ocean-retreat-hawaii    

Curious about out-of-body experiences - but a little nervous? You’re not alone. Many first-timers feel fear when they leave their body for the first time (also known as astral projection). In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson talks about the three most common fears people face during OBEs, and how to move through them with calm and confidence. She explores: Why the experience can feel intense at first How to stay grounded when things feel overwhelming Simple tools to shift fear into curiosity and calm What to remember if you're afraid you won’t return to your body Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreat with Dr. Clare Johnson: Portugal, May 19-23, 2026.   And the next Hawaii retreat is on Healing Dreams. June 20-24, 2026. Save the dates, more info soon on deepluciddreaming.com Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

Ever drifted off to sleep and seen strange shapes, lights, or flashes of imagery? That’s hypnagogia—your natural gateway to lucid dreaming. In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson explores: What the hypnagogic state is (and why it's so powerful) Dr. Clare shares her 6 stages of hypnagogia—how to spot them and how they feel How to use this pre-sleep state to consciously enter a lucid dream Tips for staying aware without waking yourself up You'll also hear firsthand descriptions of real hypnagogic experiences and get practical advice for recognizing these strange and amazing pre-dream visuals as they unfold. Whether you’re new to lucid dreaming or just want to get better at it, learning to watch hypnagogia could change how you fall asleep - forever. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreat with Dr. Clare Johnson: Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

Imagine a 9-foot tall woman who reveals cosmic wisdom, or a blue fairy who can open portals into deep Earth. Sometimes the most fascinating lucid dreams involve encounters with dream guides, power animals, and special figures who impart knowledge. In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson shares her four categories of lucid dream figures (from zombies to super-aware) that she came up with during her PhD research – the first in the world to investigate lucid dreaming as a creative tool. Is everything within a dream an aspect of the dreamer? No – there are transpersonal dreams where we encounter deeper levels of knowledge. Dr. Clare describes how best to interact with power animals and guides, and shares tips on how to connect with them. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreat with Dr. Clare Johnson: Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

This is a common question, and the answer can be summed up in one word: "no." Lucid dreaming is a natural phenomenon of consciousness and it is no more dangerous than non-lucid dreaming, which we all engage in naturally every night. Lucidity is simply awareness. We become aware that we are dreaming.  In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson explains her take on the "dangers" of lucid dreaming. Her view is based on nearly 50 years of personal lucid dream practice as a prolific lucid dreamer; original and world-first PhD research into the topic of lucid dreaming as a creative tool; and her eight books, some of which involved assessing reports of lucid dreamers from around the globe.  Tune in to hear why people think lucid dreaming might be dangerous, and learn more about this versatile state of consciousness.  Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreat with Dr. Clare Johnson: Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/  

Have you ever meditated in a lucid dream? When attempted with stable lucid awareness, this is the fastest route to blissful oneness. In deep lucid dreaming, we can receive immersive experiences of light that reveal the underlying workings of the universe. In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson shares her 2016 “Lucid Light Theory of Dreams and Reality. She gives examples of transcendent lucid dreams, and emphasises that this bliss state is NOT reserved for mystics, meditators and the devout. In fact, this light is always present – it’s just easier to access in lucid dreams and other altered states such as hypnagogia and the void. Dr. Clare shares tips on how to enter the Lucid Light from a lucid dream. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming

Can you heal your body? In this episode, we’ll explore how different states of consciousness can guide and trigger physical healing—often spontaneously and naturally. Dr. Clare Johnson looks at scientific research that shows lucid dream actions activate the same brain areas as waking movements, opening the door to real physical benefits. She shares her own story of healing from a fibroid tumour, unpacking the steps she took and the particular states of consciousness that were helpful. Dr. Clare also shares the story of a woman in her workshop who experienced a startling energetic shift that released her stiff hips. This was in the waking state. Whether through lucid dream healing or while fully awake, this episode offers practical insight on how to tap into your body’s natural recovery in any state of consciousness. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

Have you ever dreamed about something, then watched it play out in real life? In this fascinating episode, Dr. Clare Johnson explores precognitive dreams — dreams that appear to predict future events. While most dreams are psychological or symbolic, every so often one breaks the pattern with eerie accuracy. Tune in to discover: What precognitive dreams are (and how they differ from ordinary dreams) Scientific research into ESP (extra-sensory perception) and dream telepathy Real-life examples — from small synchronicities to precognitive dreams that may have averted disaster and saved lives Why these dreams often come with a strong emotional charge or sense of urgency How to tell if your dream might be precognitive — and what to do if it is How to test your own precognitive dreaming abilities Why lucid dreaming and synchronicities are linked with precognition This episode offers a grounded introduction to one of the strangest and most intriguing aspects of dreaming — and how your own dreams might be reaching into the future. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

In this podcast episode, Dr. Clare speaks to one of the deepest dream explorers around: Bob Hoss, Director of the DreamScience Foundation and a powerhouse at the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Tune in and discover: • How Bob communicates with his wife Lynne, who has dementia and is unable to speak, in his lucid dreams! He describes how he went to a “halfway house” between the living and the dead to reassure her… and what happened next in waking life. • Dr. Clare shares her dreams of light featuring an Alzheimer's patient. • The most exciting dream research: how neuroscience aligns with lucid dreaming. Brain imaging and AI. • Experiments to discover how conscious lucid dream figures are. • The four levels of dream control (Johnson 2004) • The delight of becoming a dot of conscious awareness in lucid dreams and transcending the ego-self. • Dr. Clare shares her lucid dreams with deceased people and their message of how incredibly precious life is. • Bob shares what lucid dreaming and quantum entanglement teaches us about the meaning of life. You can find Bob Hoss over on https://dreamscience.org/ or reach him at robertjhoss@aol.com Join Bob Hoss and Dr. Clare Johnson at the next IASD conference in Ashland, Oregon, June 13-17, 2026. Experience the power of sharing lucid dreams and dream wisdom with hundreds of enthusiastic dreamers… and dance the night away at the Dream Ball on the last night! Info at https://www.asdreams.org/ Subscribe to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on your favourite channel to receive ALL podcast episodes. Only a fraction appear on YouTube. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-deep-lucid-dreaming/id1813136792  https://open.spotify.com/show/0oOcnmNBZugcrOzGvr0yYO  Or listen on our website: https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ And… come to Portugal for a lucid dreaming ocean retreat with Dr. Clare Johnson, 19-23 May, 2026. https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/p/lucid-dreaming-ocean-retreat  P.S… a spot just opened up for the Hawaii Lucidity Retreat later this month: 25-29 October on Big Island. We have our very own lucid dream temple :-) For details, email deepluciddreaming@gmail.com

Have you ever woken up feeling completely awake but unable to move, trapped in your own body? That’s sleep paralysis — a natural biological safety mechanism that sometimes feels downright terrifying. In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson dives into what sleep paralysis is, why it happens, and most importantly, how you can manage it so fear doesn’t take over. She shares tips from her own experience and that of others to help you stay calm and transform scary moments into ones of curiosity and empowerment. Tune in to learn: What sleep paralysis means biologically Why fear makes the experience worse, and how to break that cycle How your beliefs can shape what you experience during sleep paralysis Simple techniques to release fear Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

Have you ever known something without being told or shown in conventional ways? In this episode, we dive into dream telepathy — the ability to communicate and receive information beyond our normal senses, often through dreams. Dr. Johnson shares a mind-blowing telepathic lucid dream she had that won the IASD Dream Telepathy Contest and shattered her perceptions about the nature of mind. She shares real-life examples of precognitive dreams and touches on scientific research from the 1960s and 70s that supports the idea of extra-sensory perception (ESP) and telepathy during sleep. Learn how to recognize and trust these intuitive messages in your own dreams and explore the fascinating depths of human consciousness. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

People often ask Dr. Johnson if astral projection (also known as an out of body experience or OBE) is the same as a lucid dream. No, it is not. Dr. Clare Johnson will share: What an OBE is, using her original definition of this state of consciousness based on her research and  countless personal OBEs and lucid dreams Why OBEs are not lucid dreams - but have experiential overlaps, especially if they begin from the dream state The five most common ways OBEs begin (some might surprise you) Simple, practical techniques What to expect—and how to stay calm if it happens Whether you're brand new to the concept or have been curious for a while, this episode dips into the wonderful world of out of body experiences. OBEs aren’t just for mystics or seasoned meditators. In this episode, you'll learn how everyday people can experience OBEs naturally, safely, and intentionally. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

How light and flexible is your dream body? How do you experience gravity or physical exertion while you’re asleep and dreaming? What’s your lucid dream body like? Dr. Clare Johnson explores the energetic nature of the lucid dream body and shares her “Prana Dream Body Hypothesis” which appears in The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming. Dr. Clare discusses why you become a kind of superhero when you dream. She references a study of paraplegic dreamers and offers the example of Dr. Patricia Garfield, who found that acupuncture sessions trigger lucid dreaming. She also shares tips on how to recognise the dream body as a lucidity trigger, and how knowledge of the dream body can point us towards healing. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

Common dream metaphors like dirty water or broken vehicles may signal physical concerns. Dr. Clare Johnson shares powerful stories of lucid dreamers who healed headaches and tinnitus. Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

Struggling to become lucid in your dreams? You might be unknowingly held back by deep psychological blocks or limiting beliefs. In this episode, Dr. Clare Johnson reveals how these hidden fears impact not just your dreams but your waking life too. She shares simple, powerful techniques to dissolve them. Learn how to shift your mindset with positive affirmations and vivid imagery, clear inner resistance, and open the door to conscious dreaming. If you want to break free from mental barriers and finally experience lucid dreams with ease, this episode is for you! Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to be first to know all her workshop, retreat and conference dates, receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the Sleep & Deep Lucid Dreaming podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ The Art of Lucid Dreaming The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming Elixir of Sleep https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Sleep-Practical-Solutions-Nights/dp/B0DV6GBHG4/ Video classes and guided lucid dream meditations with Dr. Clare: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/

What are the ethics of (lucid) dream sex? What does it mean if you have dream sex with someone who is not your partner? How responsible are we for what we do in our dreams? In this candid conversation, Dr. Clare Johnson talks with the fascinating and insightful bestselling author Robert Moss (Conscious Dreaming; The Dreamer's Book of the Dead, and more).  Robert offers insights into why men who never share dreams suddenly begin to, and why many indigenous cultures believe we are absolutely responsible for what we do in dreams.  They also discuss the pure magic of dream creativity and share stories about meeting their fictional characters in lucid dreams.  Robert reveals just how much of his life is spent in liminal states of consciousness such as hypnagogia, and Dr. Clare reflects on why dreaming is a co-creation. Robert Moss shares his thoughts about the way discussions about lucid dreaming have progressed and become more intelligent over the past decades.  This deep conversation is one of monthly talks Dr. Clare engages in with luminaries in the field of sleep and lucid dreaming, and with highly experienced lucid dreamers who share their stories.  Find Robert Moss here: https://mossdreams.com/  The Art of Lucid Dreaming contains a Guide to Fabulous Lucid Dream Sex. Elixir of Sleep gives techniques for inviting erotic dreams. Audiobook or paperback. There is also info about lucid dream sex and creativity on Dr. Clare's website and blog:  www.DeepLucidDreaming.com  

From flying orgasms to shapeshifting dream lovers, Dr. Clare breaks down the pros and cons, answers listener questions, and shares scientific insights from dream research. What really happens when we have sex in a lucid dream? Why does it feel so real? Is it ethical to have dream sex if we have a partner in waking reality? And why are our thoughts so vital while we’re making love in a lucid dream?   Dr. Clare Johnson explores one of the most frequently asked (and least answered) questions in lucid dreaming: What’s the deal with lucid dream sex? She breaks down the pros and cons, answers listener questions, and shares scientific insights from dream research. The Art of Lucid Dreaming includes a “Guide to Fabulous Lucid Dream Sex”, and The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming dives into how to stabilise and guide erotic lucid dreams, and the ethics of lucid dream sex. Topics Covered by Dr. Clare Johnson: Why sex and flying top the list of favourite lucid dream activities Listener questions answered: Will it hurt if a virgin has sex in a lucid dream? Ethical and relationship dilemmas: Is dream sex "cheating"? What if your dream lover morphs into a zebra or other animal? The ultra-realism of dream orgasms and REM sleep arousal Lucid dream sex as a safe space for healing, confidence, and self-discovery Pitfalls of overreliance on dream sex for intimacy Tips for stabilising erotic lucid dreams and guiding them with intention Upcoming Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreats with Dr. Clare Johnson: Hawaii, Oct 25-29, 2025. And: Portugal, May 19-23, 2026. Sign up to Dr. Clare's newsletter to receive lucid dream tips and dreamy gifts: https://deepluciddreaming.com/sign-up/ Listen to the whole podcast on https://www.deepluciddreaming.com/podcast/ Video classes with Dr. Johnson: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/  Blog: Lucid Dream Sex & Symbolism

What are the pros and cons of dream control? Let's look at the attitudes around this topic. Are dreams sacred messages from the unconsious that should not be tampered with or changed in any way? Dr. Clare Johnson identified FOUR levels of dream control during her PhD work at Leeds University.  She shares these in this episode. A lot of people misunderstand what lucid dreaming is and how the dream responds to our thoughts, emotions and expectations. Dr. Clare shares the story of a psychotherapist who froze every time she got lucid in her dreams. She was terrified of changing anything, as she perceived dreams as sacred. But what are the ramifications of this attitude in terms of our wider perception of consciousness?  In this episode, we'll illuminate the transmogrifying nature of the dreaming mind and explore lucid dreaming as a mutual conversation. Learn more in Dr. Johnson's books and video classes: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/ Dive through portals into lucid dreaming on her big website: https://deepluciddreaming.com/ Or join Dr. Clare in person on Hawaii October 25-29 for a fabulous Lucid Dreaming Ocean Retreat. https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/p/lucid-dreaming-ocean-retreat-hawaii

The lucid void is that endless space you sometimes end up floating in, possibly bodiless, during your night of sleep.  The lucid void usually perceived as black, but it can be grey, or rainbow dots of light, or any other colour. In this episode, we'll look at the incredible creative value of the lucid void and what it is. Learn more about the magic of sleep, lucid dreaming, OBEs and more with Dr. Johnson's video classes and lucid dreaming ocean retreats. There's a whole universe within you to explore! Hawaii Retreat, Oct 25-29: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/p/lucid-dreaming-ocean-retreat-hawaii Video classes: https://deep-lucid-dreaming-video-courses.teachable.com/ Listen to the podcast on Dr. Clare's website and explore her site for a huge amount of info: https://www.deepluciddreaming.com