Do you want to become a pro at lucid dreaming? Have you struggled in your efforts thus far? Perhaps you need a little help to steer you in the right direction. That’s where lucid dreaming masks can help. In this post, you’ll discover the best lucid dreaming masks to take your practice to the next level and provide you with some interesting background information about these special masks.
What Is Lucid Dreaming?
Long a topic of interest by neurologists, psychologists, and other researchers dedicated to the study of sleep, lucid dreaming can range in scope from simply realizing you’re in a dream, to being able to control your surroundings, actions, and even other people’s actions in a dream (source). Avid lucid dreamers purport they’re able to tap into their subconscious minds, sleep more soundly, and even act out desires they would otherwise not attempt in a real world setting.
What Are Lucid Dreaming Masks?
While movies like Inception popularized the idea of lucid dreaming, the jury is out on how best to engage in the practice. For example, some people swear by special supplements to help induce lucid dreams. Others simply follow the advice laid out in popular training books.
And then we come to lucid dreaming masks — a product designed to heighten your experience of lucid dreams by blocking external stimuli from your vision and help with dream recall afterward.
Different masks offer different features, including synchronized ambient lighting designed to stimulate REM sleep, to full monitoring of your sleep cycle accessible via smart devices. While the former helps induce lucid dreaming, the latter helps you better assess your practice.
How Does a Lucid Dreaming Mask Benefit You?
While it’s possible to achieve a lucid dream state without the use of specially designed masks, they make the job easier by providing better conditions for lucid dreaming to occur. Plus, they double-up as regular sleep masks to help block light emitted from televisions, reading lights, and other light sources. Some also include noise-canceling earplugs to diminish room sounds.
How to Choose a Lucid Dreaming Mask
Like standard sleeping masks, lucid dreaming masks are intended to be worn all night and thus should be comfortable. Without a good fit, you won’t sleep well and you’ll likely have a harder time inducing a lucid dream state.
A well designed lucid dreaming mask should also block out light completely from your field of vision. To this end, look for masks made of a thick material with deeply molded eye cups, if possible.
Lastly, determine which lucid dreaming features you’d like to have, such as those described above.
What Is the Best Way to Use a Lucid Dreaming Mask?
- Lucid dreaming masks are best used at night, in a quiet, comfortable setting.
- If your mask of choice doesn’t include noise-canceling ear buds, try a white noise machine to block out distracting sounds and induce sleep quicker.
- If your mask of choice includes an ambient lighting feature, give it a test run while you’re awake to gauge your experience before trying it out for real at night. Moreover, reflect on the sensation, feeling, and pattern of the ambient lighting throughout the day and consider uttering a simple mantra, such as “I’m dreaming,” or “I’m aware I’m dreaming” while observing the lights. Aim to practice this mantra several times per day, with the underlying goal of creating a subconscious association between the ambient lighting with lucid dreaming. With regular practice, the ambient lighting can provide an in-dream cue for you to recognize you’re in a dream state
Cautions and Concerns
- While lucid dreaming has decades of scientific study and support, the phenomenon is still somewhat of a mystery. And while many lucid dreaming masks purport to work, plenty of skeptics think otherwise. But if you’re a firm believer in lucid dreaming, a dedicated mask may serve as a valuable tool for your nightly routine.
- If you have epilepsy or any other medical condition where flashing lights leave you susceptible, consult a physician before using a lucid dreaming mask with lighting features.
- Never use a lucid dreaming mask as a substitute for any sleep or medical disorder.
Reviews of the Best Lucid Dreaming Masks
REM Dreamer Sleep Mask
This sleep mask uses infrared sensors that activate during REM sleep — the deepest form of sleep where lucid dreaming is possible. Once activated, the REM Dreamer displays lights and plays beeping sounds to alert you that you’re dreaming.
Mask settings can be adjusted via the included LCD display screen, allowing you to select the intensity and frequency of lights and beeps (the device comes with a handy user’s manual to help guide you).
Of the best lucid dreaming masks on our list, the REM Dreamer is the only one specifically designed to practice lucid dreaming.
PROS
- Specifically designed for lucid dreamers
- Includes REM-sleep activated lights and beeps
- Lightweight
- Adjustable Velcro strap for comfort
CONS
- May not block out all light for some people
- Higher priced due to lucid dreaming-specific features
Dream Essentials Mindfold Sleeping Mask
- 99% Light Blocking – The unique design of our sleep mask fitted around the nose brings you a completely dark sleep environment. Even in bright places, you can be at ease for a nap or for the night.
- No Eye Pressure – Our sleep mask with 3D contoured cup eye sockets has deeper space, and wont touch your eyelashes.
- Adjustable – Large adjustable buckle strap makes our sleep mask one size fits all, which will not catch or break hair nor will it hurt your ears. Great for CPAP machine users.
- Comfortable – Low resilience memory foam removes pressure from the eyes. Soft and comfortable, its padded 3D design offers a wider and deeper space around the eyes.
Designed with simplicity in mind, the Mindfold sleep mask features an opaque plastic shield covered by soft fabric to provide total darkness while sleeping. It also includes cutouts to prevent your eyes from rubbing against the mask material.
This mask blocks out light better than others on our list, creating the perfect setting for sleep.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Eye pockets for comfort
- Adjustable Velcro strap for comfort
CONS
- Plastic edges may be uncomfortable for some people
- Lack of lucid dreaming-specific features
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
- No pressure on eyes, eye space is wider and deeper than other flat eye mask (Silk eye mask will oppress eyes)
- Unique heat-bonded technology instead of glue, sturdy and durable, no easy to fall apart.
- Top quality fiber fabric never stain bed sheets or pillows. Memory foam makes you feel comfortable.
- Fit all size head circumference, fully adjustable buckle strap, easy to adjust and not catch hair.
- Effectively blocking lights and allows your eyes freely blinking. Ideal for meditation, Yoga, travel, napping, insomn
This lightweight, adjustable sleeping mask is designed to provide 100% light blockage for most individuals and features built-in eye cavities to avoid your eyelids from rubbing against the fabric, causing discomfort.
It comes with a convenient carrying case to use for travel or store away. Also included are earbuds to help block out room noises and aid sleep.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Eye pockets for comfort
- Adjustable Velcro strap for comfort
- Carrying case and earbuds included
CONS
- Lack of lucid dreaming-specific features
Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Sleep Mask
- THE SECRET OF A GREAT NIGHT’S SLEEP. Get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer by blocking light with this incredibly soft and comfortable Sweet Dreams Sleep Mask.
- THE BEST SLEEP MASK FOR, Men, Women and Children, Travel, Blocking Unwanted Light at Bedtime, Shift Workers, Better Sleep in Hospitals, Naps & Meditation, Helps with Insomnia. You can easily carry it in a purse, handbag, beach bag or briefcase. As a bonus, each mask comes neatly packaged, in a carton, inside is a complimentary pair of high quality earplugs and a convenient travel carry pouch.
- INCREDIBLY SOFT & COMFORTABLE, it’s contoured, so it rests gently on your face. Light as a feather, this sleep mask offers extreme comfort, it delivers remarkable levels of blocking the light without putting pressure on the eyes. The fine contoured mask easily adapts to the silhouette of all types of faces. The design also works great for side sleepers.
Also made by Dream Essentials, the Sweet Dreams contoured sleep mask is specifically designed to complement the natural curvature of your face. This mask features wider and deeper pockets than most other sleeping masks to prevent contact with your eyes and add extra comfort.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Large eye pockets for comfort
- Adjustable Velcro strap for comfort
- Carrying case and earbuds included
CONS
- May not block out all light for some people
- Lack of lucid dreaming-specific features
Sound Oasis Go To Sleep Mask
- What is going on in your Mind?... bills, shopping, money, work, meetings, kids..Sound Familiar?
- Slow your thoughts and clear your mind. Allow your body to relax and drift into peacefull slumber
- Glo to Sleep is a simple solution.
- Place the mask on your head, raise your eyes upwards, hold your gaze on a soft blue point of glow.
- Amazingly, the transition from your last conscious thought to sleep seems instantane
This mask features a soothing, soft blue light, designed to help lull you to sleep quickly, and stay asleep. Neither batteries nor wires are needed to use the device and it’s easy to travel with. While the construction materials aren’t top quality, the benefits of the Glo to Sleep mask outweigh the drawbacks.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Eye pockets for comfort
- Features ambient blue lighting
CONS
- Strong plastic smell reported by some people but fades over time
- May not block out all light for some people
- Lack of lucid dreaming-specific features
What Is the Best Lucid Dreaming Mask for You?
While each of these sleeping masks provides protection from light during sleep, only one is specifically designed with lucid dreaming in mind — the REM Dreamer Sleep Mask. Its light-blocking properties coupled with REM sleep-specific features make it ideal for anyone looking to become a better lucid dreamer.
Now Over to You!
What are your thoughts about using lucid dreaming masks? Leave your comments below!
