2021 00 00 International Journal of Dream Research - Vol 14 No 2 - Raduga

Magazine Overview

This issue of the International Journal of Dream Research (IJODR) features the article "Emulating alien and UFO encounters in REM sleep" by Michael Raduga, Andrey Shashkov, and Zhanna Zhunusova. The journal is published in Volume 14, Issue 2, of 2021.

Emulating Alien and UFO Encounters in REM Sleep

Summary

The article addresses the long-standing mystery of alien and UFO encounters (AUEs), proposing that they might be related to dissociative REM sleep states like lucid dreams (LDs), sleep paralysis (SP), and out-of-body experiences (OBEs). The researchers hypothesized that if AUEs are products of REM sleep, then lucid dream practitioners could deliberately emulate them. To test this, an online resource was used to instruct 152 volunteers to attempt AUE emulation via LDs at home. Their reports were analyzed, revealing that 114 (75%) experienced AUEs after one or more attempts. Specifically, 61% encountered alien-like creatures, 28% encountered UFOs, and 24% experienced fear or SP. Notably, 20% of the successful cases were described as close to reality, lacking paradoxical dreamlike events. The study concludes that AUEs can be willfully emulated and perceived as highly realistic, suggesting that spontaneous encounters during REM sleep might be confused with reality. This research aims to explain some AUEs occurring at bedtime and offers a framework for understanding other paranormal, religious, or mystical encounters, thereby enhancing our understanding of human culture and the brain.

Keywords

Keywords include: lucid dreams, out-of-body experiences, alien visitation, alien abductions, UFO, consciousness, REM sleep, and phase state.

1. Introduction

The introduction sets the context by referencing the vastness of the universe and the Fermi paradox, highlighting the enduring human belief in extraterrestrial civilizations and their alleged visits to Earth, often depicted as abductions. The authors note the widespread claims of alien contact, particularly since the 1960s, and the lack of a definitive explanation, posing the question of whether these are psychological phenomena or actual events. The article points out that a significant portion of AUE stories (approximately half) involve sleep, dreams, relaxation, and sleep paralysis (SP). It explains that SP, characterized by unpleasant hallucinations during REM sleep atonia, is often sought for non-medical explanations, linking it to supernatural beliefs and AUE reports. The study defines the "phase state" (PS) as an umbrella term encompassing SP, lucid dreams (LDs), out-of-body experiences, and false awakenings, all of which are dissociative REM sleep phenomena. LDs, where individuals are aware and can influence the dream, are highlighted as a key PS, often occurring during REM sleep with increased prefrontal cortex activity. The authors cite research on the potential practical applications of LDs, including training motor skills, pain management, and nightmare elimination.

2. Methods

#### 2.1. Research Resource

The study was conducted from February 2, 2019, to April 18, 2020, using the Project Elijah website, an online platform for PS practitioners. The study was conducted using the Russian version of the website.

#### 2.2. Volunteers

152 volunteers participated, with 41% reporting over 100 lifetime PS experiences. Participants provided personal data, consented to the study, and confirmed they had no pre-existing psychological or physiological issues that could be affected by PS. Participants under 18 were excluded, and no material rewards were offered. The study lacked institutional review board approval due to its voluntary nature and the independent research team.

#### 2.3. Experimental Task

Volunteers were instructed to induce a PS using any method, then attempt to find or summon aliens or UFOs. They were required to memorize and report all events, whether an AUE occurred or not, on the Project Elijah website as soon as possible. Reports were verified by the research team, and participants could attempt the task multiple times over a period of up to 14 months.

#### 2.4. Statistical Analysis

Narrative reports were analyzed using contingency tables and Chi-square tests in JASP. The analysis included criteria such as AUE general and detailed status, fear and SP, paradoxical status (realness of events), gender, number of PS experiences, PS induction method, and PS ending type. Significance was set at alpha = .05 with Bonferroni corrections for post-hoc tests. Data were categorized by the number of PS experiences, PS induction methods (indirect, direct, Id), and PS endings (fake, outer, force, self, dream).

3. Results

Of the 152 accepted reports, 114 (75%) described successful AUEs. Twenty-three volunteers (20% of AUE cases, 15% overall) reported relatively realistic experiences with fewer paradoxical dreamlike events. Three percent of volunteers experienced SP, all of whom achieved AUEs. Of those experiencing fear (17%), only one did not achieve an AUE. A statistically significant relationship was found between AUE and SP/fear (χ²(1, N=152) = 8.406, p = .004). Post-hoc tests confirmed significant relationships for both the AUE and SP/fear pair and the non-AUE and SP/fear pair. SP was more prevalent in less-paradoxical AUEs (13%) compared to more paradoxical AUEs (2%). This relationship was also statistically significant (χ²(1, N=114) = 5.150, p = .023). All cases involving both SP and fear were accompanied by less-paradoxical AUEs. Regarding the characteristics of successful AUEs: 61% described 'standard' aliens from fiction; 4% encountered invisible aliens; 19% described humanlike aliens; 39% had only visual contact; 26% talked with aliens without physical contact; 11% had physical contact without talking; 12% both talked and had physical contact; 28% encountered UFOs; 10% were inside a UFO; and 3% flew on a UFO. No statistically significant differences were found based on gender, PS induction method, practitioner experience, or PS ending type.

4. Discussion

#### 4.1. Hypotheses Confirmation

The study confirmed the central hypothesis that AUEs could be emulated during REM sleep and could be close to reality, particularly when initiated from bed. Approximately three-quarters of volunteers succeeded, though many reports were still considered too paradoxical. The secondary hypothesis, that SP would be more prevalent in successful AUE reports, was also supported, as cases with SP and fear were often less paradoxical. This adds credibility to the idea that AUE reports can be similar to 'actual' reports. The findings indicate that bedtime AUEs can be willfully emulated, though the specific probability remains unknown.

#### 4.2. Mechanisms Underlying AUE

The precise mechanisms of how the PS space emulates sensations are not fully understood. However, the study suggests that practitioners use techniques to find or summon 'aliens' within PS. For instance, imagining aliens in the room before waking up can trigger an AUE. This process might be similar to how people spontaneously encounter AUEs, especially if they have prior interest in UFOs or supernatural phenomena. The PS space could facilitate the emulation of these expectations. The authors note that while PS practitioners are aware of the situation, ordinary people might not be, leading them to interpret these experiences as real. Fear and paralysis can occur even in practitioners, making it understandable why ordinary individuals might experience shock and consider AUEs as genuine experiences.

#### 4.3. Discussing AUE Phenomenon

The study's primary conclusion is that many 'actual' AUE reports might simply be a different form of PS, given the similar ways AUEs and PSs can be reproduced. The prevalence of PS experiences and familiarity with AUEs through media suggest that these factors can converge to mislead individuals. While some AUE reports are likely fabricated, others may be real experiences misinterpreted due to a lack of rational knowledge about psychological and psychophysiological phenomena. The authors suggest that AUEs could be a consequence of insufficient education in these areas, coupled with the widespread occurrence of PS.

#### 4.4. Conclusions and Directions for Future Studies

The study demonstrates that bedtime AUEs can be emulated during REM sleep and mimic reality, potentially leading ordinary people to confuse these experiences with actual events. The authors propose comparing large databases of AUE and dream reports and instructing AUE experiencers to attempt PS and emulate their stories. This comparative approach could further explore the connection between PS and AUE reports. The findings also suggest that other paranormal, religious, or mystical encounters might be explained similarly, aiding in the general understanding of the human brain, sleep processes, and consciousness, and making certain cultural phenomena more rational and understandable.

Acknowledgment

The authors express gratitude to the Project Elijah supporters and participants, as well as Rinat Muslimov, Vladimir Agafonov, and Vladislav Aksyuchits for their support.

References

The article includes an extensive list of references, citing various studies on abduction experiences, lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis, UFOs, and related psychological and neurophysiological phenomena. Key authors cited include Appelle, Baird, Basterfield, Blackmore, Cassan, Clark, Colvin, Dane, Daroff, Dresler, Filkin, de Fontenelle, Gackenbach, Green, Hart, Holden, LaBerge, Levitan, Mahowald, Marov, McNally, Mota-Rolim, Nelson, Pacheco, Raduga, Richardson, Schädlich, Sharpless, Schmidt, Siddiqui, Stockton, Stumbrys, Terrillon, Terzaghi, Voss, and Zadra.

Appendix: Less-paradoxical AUE reports

The appendix provides translated excerpts from less-paradoxical AUE reports submitted by volunteers. These reports detail various imagined encounters with aliens and UFOs, often occurring during sleep or phase states. Examples include:

• Report #3 (Female): Encounter with three small, blue-skinned beings with large heads and eyes, telepathic communication, and a scanning device.
• Report #14 (Male): Encounter with pulsating, levitating organisms with large oval eyes and tentacles, causing a sensation of electric shock.
• Report #15 (Female): Encounter with amorphous creatures transforming into aliens, one with a long tentacle.
• Report #37 (Female): Encounter with tall, gray, thin beings described as creepy, later transforming into green, non-scary people.
• Report #41 (Male): Materialization of three green humanoids sitting in a lotus position.
• Report #56 (Male): Observation of a yellow ball and a fading vision, leading to waking.
• Report #57 (Male): Imagining extraterrestrial beings in the kitchen, with sounds of bacon frying.
• Report #61 (Female): Encounter with two baggy creatures described as bags of bright colors, with hands and eyes, speaking in low, beautiful male voices, claiming to be from 'Deviarty'.
• Report #62 (Male): Experience of being dragged through walls, followed by a humanoid in a silver suit, and a procedure involving tools.
• Report #73 (Female): Encounter with an alien with an elongated head, gray skin, large eyes, and no nose, described as aggressively minded.
• Report #75 (Male): Appearance in a meeting room with 8-10 aliens of various skin colors (blue, gray, charcoal black).
• Report #78 (Male): Transformation of a spot into a spider-like creature, followed by an attempt to inflate a UFO.
• Report #80 (Female): Dialogue with an alien from 'Alpha Centauri' who identifies as a 'war pilot' and 'fighter'.
• Report #95 (Male): Encounter with three teenagers in the kitchen, one of whom claims to collect information.
• Report #98 (Male): Encounter with three beings (80 cm to 1 meter tall) with large ears, narrow eyes, and unusual weapons, described as friendly.
• Report #101 (Female): Encounter with a yellow, wrinkled humanoid in an armchair, who works as a blacksmith cook.
• Report #105 (Male): Observation of two yellow luminous dots on a wall.
• Report #130 (Female): Encounter with a small being (15 cm) in a hat and armor.
• Report #133 (Male): Encounter with a small alien (20 cm), followed by observations of movement near the ceiling.
• Report #139 (Female): Observation of small lights in the sky, a spaceship, and three green-skinned aliens approaching.
• Report #142 (Male): Encounter with a large, muscular being (190 cm) with a white body, black eyes, and dark feet.
• Report #150 (Female): Observation of spinning movement and hands becoming visible.
• Report #151 (Female): Observation of two pale humanoids with deep black eyes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of consciousness, sleep states, and paranormal experiences, specifically alien and UFO encounters. The journal's stance appears to be one of scientific inquiry into subjective experiences, seeking psychological and neurophysiological explanations for phenomena often relegated to the supernatural. The article "Emulating alien and UFO encounters in REM sleep" exemplifies this by proposing that AUEs can be understood as a product of altered states of consciousness during REM sleep, rather than necessarily external events. The journal facilitates research into these complex areas, encouraging the exploration of dreams, altered states, and their potential connections to cultural beliefs and human perception.