Ancient dream yoga meets modern science: could lucid dreaming ease anxiety?

NCT ID NCT07217340

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a program inspired by Tibetan Dream Yoga—combining meditation, lucid dreaming, and virtual reality—is feasible for people with mild anxiety. Twenty-five healthy adults with good dream recall took part. The main goal was to see if people would stick with the program and find it acceptable, not to measure anxiety relief. Early results on sleep, dreaming, and thinking were also explored.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Dream Yoga Inspired Intervention (behavioral: meditation, lucid dreaming, VR)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new, non-drug approach to ease anxiety and improve sleep and mental flexibility.
What could go wrong: This is a very early feasibility trial with only 25 people. It tests whether the program is acceptable, not whether it works for anxiety. Results may not apply to everyone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Contemplative Sciences Center

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908., United States
Cresap Laboratory

Evanston, Illinois, 60208, United States

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