Tips for Remembering and Inducing Dreams
Estimated read time is 3 minutes.
This blog post is long overdue. It sat in as a voice note in my drafts since December 2024. Maybe I’m still working on long pauses brought on by perfectionism. In any case, I hope this can answer questions that have come up when I’m discussing dreams with people.
People often ask me how they can remember, or even induce, dreams while they are sleeping. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but through personal practice and research, I’ve picked up a few tips that may help you get started.
1. Set Your Intention
Before going to bed, set a clear intention—both mentally and verbally—that you will dream and that you will remember those dreams. This simple act can be surprisingly powerful in guiding your mind.
2. Fall Asleep Intentionally
Try to fall asleep with awareness rather than drifting off to a TV show or being surrounded by distractions. Everyone has a different tolerance for noise—some people even find it comforting—but reducing distractions in your environment can help you enter sleep more intentionally.
Dimming the lights is also helpful. In particular, avoid blue light close to bedtime, as it can disrupt your sleep cycle. Warmer tones, like red or soft lighting, tend to be more calming.
3. Clear Your Space
A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Taking time to clean and organize your room—especially the area around your bed—can help create a calmer mental environment.
You don’t need perfection; do what feels manageable and makes you feel more at ease. The goal is to create a space where your mind can rest and open up.
4. Be Mindful of Smoking
If you smoke, consider avoiding it on days when you want to focus on remembering or inducing dreams. In my experience, smoking can make it harder to recall dreams.
That said, everyone’s habits and reasons are personal. If you do choose to smoke, you might experiment with adding herbs like mugwort, which some people believe can enhance dreaming. As you do, keep your intention focused on remembering your dreams.
5. Reduce Alcohol Intake
Limiting or avoiding alcohol—especially before bed—can improve your ability to remember dreams. While effects vary from person to person, I’ve found that not drinking leads to clearer dream recall.
6. Explore Tools Like Crystals (Optional)
Some people like to use crystals to set intentions around dreaming. Certain crystals are believed to support dream work, though I personally don’t use them. If it interests you, it might be worth exploring further.
7. Record Your Dreams Immediately
When you wake up, write down your dreams as soon as possible. Even a few notes can make a big difference. Building this habit strengthens your ability to remember dreams over time.
8. Try Peanut Butter Before Bed
No, seriously. This one might sound a little unusual, but it’s worth mentioning. A friend of mine—someone who rarely dreams—ate peanut butter before bed and ended up having vivid dreams that night.
Afterward, they looked it up and found that some people report peanut butter as a dream enhancer. There’s no guarantee, but if you’re not allergic, trying a tablespoon before bed could be an interesting experiment.
Happy Dreaming
These are just a few starting points based on my experience. There’s always more to explore when it comes to dreaming, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.
Book a Dream Interpretation
In a 1-hour session, we might discuss dreams, tarot, and more. Every person is unique, and our shared goal would be to come away with actionable steps to help you navigate to positive outcomes in your waking life.
Have a question? Feel free to reach out by commenting below or emailing me, and I will answer as I am able.
Peace,
Vic ✷ they/them
