Oneirogens #
Textbook Definition: An oneirogen is considered to induce, enhance or promote lucid or vivid dreaming. It is sometimes defined as a substance that produces dream-like states of consciousness. These can be profound, and can manifest as realistic or abstract.
The following botanicals have been sampled and researched for inclusion within this section:
I wasn’t really convinced that lucid dreams could be induced until I actually encountered them via experimentation. I was astonished.
The episodes experienced were not psychedelic or hallucinogenic in nature, but were regular dreaming cycles, enhanced by a certain clarity and sometimes by detailed recall. In some cases, there was also a hint that the direction of the unfolding dreams could be influenced.
Separately, I found that a number of other psychoactives, particularly psychedelics, also promoted dreaming, although I have usually felt this to be background continuation: the dying embers of the main trip. The botanicals categorised in this section differ because their primary effect relates to the dream state.
I should note in stating this that there was a handful which I almost classified as oneirogens, as they unambiguously produced clear recallable and lucid dreams on each occasion I used them. They could have fit equally comfortably here or under their current designation. Examples include mulungu and wormwood.
Lucid and vivid dreaming is a huge subject in its own right, and not one I can really do justice to. However, the experiments I cover may serve as a brief introduction to this fascinating field.
