Oneirogen

An oneirogen, from the Greek ὄνειρος óneiros meaning "dream" and gen "to create", is a substance that induces a dream-like state of consciousness. Oneirogens function by altering neural processing in a way that shifts the brain from bottom-up sensory input to top-down generative activity, resembling the mechanisms involved in dreaming. This neural shift is associated with increased internal imagery and reduced responsiveness to external stimuli. Psychedelics—particularly those acting on the 5-HT2A receptor—produce oneirogenic effects by promoting this altered balance of neural signaling.^{[citation needed]}

List of oneirogens

• Calea zacatechichi ("Calea ternifolia") has been traditionally used in Central America as a believed way to potentiate lucid dreams and perform dream divination. It can promote dreams vivid to the senses, sight, scent, hearing, touch, and taste. May be taken as a tea or smoked.^[1][2][3][4]
• Entada rheedii ("African dream bean")^[3]
• Mugwort,^[3] see Artemisia douglasiana
• Silene undulata (also known as "Silene capensis" or "African dream root") is used by the Xhosa people of South Africa to induce lucid dreams.^[4][5][6] It has been found to contain β-carbolines and ibogaine.^[6]

List of possible oneirogens

• Diphenhydramine ("Benadryl") can invoke an intense hypnagogic REM-like microsleep often indifferentiable from reality. It accomplishes this by blocking various acetylcholine receptors in the brain.^[7]
• Galantamine was shown to increase lucid dreaming by 27% at 4 mg and 42% at 8 mg in a 2018 double-blind study lasting three nights.^[8]
• Ibogaine^[9]
• Melatonin and Ramelteon may cause vivid dreams as a side effect^{[citation needed][4]}
• Mirtazapine^[10]
• Muscimol^[11]

Hallucinogenic oneirogens

• Tabernanthe iboga (iboga) is a perennial rainforest shrub native to West Africa. An evergreen bush indigenous to Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo, it is cultivated across West Africa. In African traditional medicine and rituals, the yellowish root or bark is used to produce hallucinations and near-death outcomes, with some fatalities occurring.^[12][13]
• Psilocybe mushrooms and their active ingredients psilocin and psilocybin^[14]

Disputed oneirogens

• Valerian (herb) – A study conducted in the UK in 2001 showed that valerian root significantly improved stress induced insomnia, but as a side effect greatly increased the vividness of dreams. This study concluded that valerian root affects REM due to natural chemicals and essential oils that stimulate serotonin and opioid receptors. Another study found no encephalographic changes in subjects under its influence.^[15][16][17]

Nonchemical oneirogens

• Mindfulness practices could be useful in achieving lucid dream.^[18]
• Sleep deprivation can make dreams more intense, which is caused by REM rebound effect ^[19]

See also

• List of hallucinogens
• Oneiromancy
• Oneirophrenia