Lucid Dream Control: Mechanisms, Challenges and Future Directions

During lucid dreaming, individuals are aware that they are dreaming and may, in some cases, be able to influence dream content. The effectiveness of both clinical and non-clinical applications of lucid dreaming likely depends not only on achieving lucidity but also on the ability to exert control over the dream. However, lucidity does not always translate into control, and many lucid dreamers struggle to intentionally influence their lucid dreams. Despite growing interest in lucid dreaming, the mechanisms, reliability and effectiveness of dream control remain poorly understood. In this narrative review, we propose that dream control can occur through both agentic (deliberate, goal-driven) and non-agentic (implicit, expectation-driven) forms. We provide an overview of the current research on dream control and situate it within a framework that distinguishes between lucidity, agency and control. We examine which aspects of dreams can be influenced, the strategies used to do so, and the challenges and individual differences that shape dream control. We further discuss the potential clinical and non-clinical applications of lucid dream control. Finally, we identify key gaps in the literature and outline directions for future research, including the need for standardised assessment methods, systematic evaluation of control strategies and a better understanding of the cognitive, emotional and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying dream control.