Definition & Discovery
Lucid dreaming: becoming aware that you're dreaming while still in the dream. The term was coined by psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden in 1913. Verywell Mind

Prevalence & Frequency
A 2016 meta-analysis found that ~55% of adults have experienced at least one lucid dream in their lifetime, and ~23% have them monthly or more. American Psychological Association+9ScienceDirect+9PMC+9

Why It Matters
Supports creative problem solving, emotional insight, and even treatments for nightmares. Techniques to increase lucid dreams include reality checks, dream journaling, MILD, and Wake-Back-to-Bed. PMCScienceDirect+15Verywell Mind+15Sleep Foundation+15

Scientific Insight
Lucidity bridges a hybrid state between waking and dreaming, involving activation in the prefrontal cortex and awareness during REM sleep. Wikipedia