Galantamine: Reviewing The Lucid Dreaming Pill

[Dreaming]

Galantamine has emerged as THE lucid dreaming pill.

This natural supplement has been used for centuries in China as a memory enhancer, and was even noted by the ancient Greeks for its powerful mind-inducing effects. 

Now we know that galantamine directly promotes dreaming sleep as well as lucid dreaming, which is the art of becoming self-aware in your dreams.

There’s a lot of hype about galantamine, so I want to cover the basics about how it works on the brain, the studies that have proven its effectiveness, and my personal recommendations for experimentation with this safe and natural supplement.

However, I also want to be brutally honest about some of the mild psychological and physical side effects as well. I’ll also cover how to pair the supplement with mental and physical practices for best results.

Galantamine & Memory

red spider lily (Lycoris radiata)

Galantamine is found in the natural world in many plant sources, including the common daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus).

Today, it is used commercially as an extract derived from red spider lily (Lycoris radiata), the Golden spider lily (Lycoris aurea) or from the Snowdrop plant (Galanthus nivalis). The resulting compound is galanthamine hydrobromide.

Galantamine and its derivatives was approved by the FDA in 2001, and is largely used as a memory-improvement supplement for sufferers of Alzheimers disease and mild dementia.  Only recently has the substance been used as an oneirogen, or a dream enhancing supplement.

Historically, the first evidence for using the memory-increasing properties of galantamine come from Homer’s Iliad, where, some scholars argue, Odyessus uses the snowdrop flower to combat the effects of memory loss (Duvoisin, 1983).

How Galantamine Works On your Brain

Galantamine keeps acetylcholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine, temporarily leading to increased memory function, dream recall and lucidity

Galantamine is known as an anticholinergic agent or a cholinesterase inhibitor. In the brain, the compound blocks the action of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. 

The drug is mostly metabolized in the liver. The effects are not cumulative, and only temporarily increases acetylcholine levels in the brain.

Research into Galantamine’s Effect on Dreams

As early as 1975, dream researchers found out that acetylcholine and its inhibitors are somehow involved with dream sleep (Amatruda et al 1975). In fact, noted dream scientist J. Allen Hobson stated rather boldly that “Cholinergic brainstem mechanisms cause REM sleep and dreaming.” (1988, p. 202).

Around the same time, high acetylcholine levels in the brain was associated with the prevention of memory loss, which is why it appears to be effective in treating Alzheimers.

The compound acts immediately to increase the duration of REM sleep, and the dream state is made more structurally sound

So, we know that the presence of galantamine has been shown to promote dreaming sleep.  Specifically, the compound acts immediately to increase the duration of REM sleep, and the dream state is made more structurally sound (Riemann et al, 1994). 

Also, not only does galathamine increase the period of sleep that gives us dreams, but it also seems to help with recalling those dreams upon awakening.

In 2004, Stephen LaBerge applied for a patent for the use of cholinesterase inhibitors like galantamine to promote lucid dreaming. While dream researchers had discussed the importance of the cholinergic systems with dream creation and dream recall, no one had yet mentioned that it may increase the likelihood of self-awareness in dreams as well. 

Laberge’s results? His pilot studies show that galantamine treatments are more effective than placebos for lucid dreaming induction.

LaBerge (2004) also notes that there “was also associated with a significantly elevated frequency of sleep paralysis and a 40% increase in estimated time awake during the night,” which is an important warning that I will come back to later.

In 2007, Thomas Yushak verified LaBerge’s results that galantamine increases lucid dreaming, in particular lucid dreams that emerge direct from awakening and going back to sleep without losing awareness (also know as Wake-back-to-bed dreams).

There is a 5.8X greater likelihood of having a lucid dream with 8mg of galantamine versus placebo.

Most recently, LaBerge and LaMarca (2012) have presented their well-controlled galantamine data set, which shows there is a 5.8X greater likelihood of having a lucid dream with 8mg of galantamine versus placebo. It’s a small trial, but double-blind and placebo controlled.

Physical Side Effects of Galantamine

Taking a supplement like galantamine directly affects your brain chemistry, and so it should not be taken lightly. It’s not for everyone. Some people will have adverse reactions.

The most frequent side effects are gastro-intestinal, including: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia (loss of appetite), and weight loss. In tests with Alzheimer’s patients, these side effects are temporary and more common in the beginning of treatment.

Note that Alzheimer’s patients use galantamine during the day and in a recurring period over several months and even years; whereas for dream enhancement, it’s generally recommended to take only a few days in a row for a “dream boost.”

Psychological Side Effects – Sleep Paralysis!

As LaBerge (2004) has noted, galantamine has been shown to also increase micro-awakenings during the night.  For some light sleepers, it’s possible that galantamine can interfere with a restful night and you will wake up not feeling refreshed.

LaBerge also noted the increase in sleep paralysis with galantamine use.  This has been true for me personally, which I describe below in section titled “my personal experiences.”

The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli, 1781

Sleep paralysis is a parasoma that can be very nightmarish if you have never experienced it before. Essentially, you remain aware during the transition into sleep onset and/or REM sleep while the body undergoes muscle paralysis.

To be aware during this state means experiencing strange sensations that feel like being held down or being crushed by a weight on the chest.

Fear makes the sensations worse, and can spin into intensely real waking-dreams that may involve the presence of “the Stranger” which is pretty much the scariest thing you can personally imagine. 

So, playing with galantamine necessitates a working knowledge of how to stay calm during  sleep paralysis and transform the experience into an out-of-body experience (OBE) or a truly profound lucid dream.

Contraindications

Drugs with anticholinergic properties and which cross the blood/brain barrier, such as atropine, benztropine (Cogentin), and trihexyphenidyl (Artane), counteract the effects of galantamine.

Also, the following medical issues have been documented to be irritated or worsened by the use of galantamine: asthma, lung diseases, epilepsy or history of seizures, heart problems, including slow heartbeat or heart murmur, kidney and/or liver problems, stomach ulcer, and urinary tract problems.

Safe Dosage for Dream Enhancement

Recommended dosage for dream enhancement is on the low side: 4 – 8 mg.

Taken orally, the galantamine supplement is active and at full strength within an hour of ingestion. The half-life is about 7 hours. Recommended dosage for dream enhancement is on the low side: 4 – 8 mg. (Alzheimer’s patients, on the other hand, often take 12mg or more a day). 

It’s best to take the supplement in the middle of the night to take advantage of the longer REM (dreaming sleep) cycles that occur in the second half of the night. Taking the pill before you go to bed can be counter-productive, and may result in unpleasant experiences.

Recommendation: Combine with Mental Practices

I personally believe galantamine should be handled with care and with a healthy respect, just as for all oneirogens, and all mind-altering substances in general.

As they say, set and setting.

Know why you want to be more lucid, and mentally prepare yourself for the journey.

Don’t just pop the pill and flop down to bed after watching a horror movie or after a night of drinking. Instead, prepare for sleep mindfully, perhaps by listening to relaxing music before bed, or by journaling about what you want to do when you realize you are dreaming.

The effects of galantamine can be doubled if you combine the supplement with some kind of regular meditation or mindfulness practice.

Because solidifying intent is really the hard part of learning how to lucid dream, taking a pill alone will not do the trick, although the actual behavior of swallowing a medicine is a strong ritual act that is in itself a behavioral artifact of intention. 

Mindfulness during the day, and especially right before bed, is a great way to become more lucid during the night.

For example, because the best practice is to take galantamine in the middle of the night (in order to not effect early night deep sleep as well as be closer to the longer REM cycles of the morning), a simple exercise is to set the alarm after four and half hours (three sleep cycles of 90 minutes), wake up and take the pill with some water, and then do 10-15 minutes of concentrative meditation such as watching your breath while sitting upright.

Another effective variation for me has been to read for 10-15 minutes, especially to read about lucid dreaming.  These activities increase activity in the frontal lobe, and will result in more opportunities of staying lucid as you fall back asleep.

My Personal Experiences

I came across galantamine for the first time in 2005. A lucid dreaming researcher and friend of mine had been conducting bioassays and reported a huge increase in his lucid dreams per week as well as higher lucidity levels across the board (more prelucid dreams as well as better concentration and focus in his waking life.)  

I took him up on the offer to try it myself, but first he gave me stern warnings about following his instructions exactly.

Taking galantamine early in the night can result in some terrifying and highly uncomfortable experiences, like feeling drawn and quartered

The next night, I took a galantamine extract pill before bed.

This is, of course, exactly what I had been warned NOT to do, but I was too lazy to wake up in the middle of the night and take the pill as instructed.

What resulted was one of the weirdest and most uncomfortable sleep experiences in my life. 

I woke up a couple hours after going to bed wrestling with titanic forces. It felt like my brain was being drawn and quartered; I was disoriented, dizzy and felt a little drunk.

I kept falling back asleep into these bizarre dreams that I can only describe as my head being scraped against the bottom of a submerged iceberg.

When the night was over, I realized that I had probably been consciously awake during sleep onset, in which I experienced an unpleasant series of sleep paralysis.  I told my friend what happened and he shook his head and said, “I told you so….”

A year later, I got up the nerve to try galantamine again and this time I took the dosage in the middle of the night.  

This time, it was a very different story.

Of those four nights I took the supplement, I had 3 lucid dreams, much more than my usual

Of those four nights I took the supplement, I had 3 lucid dreams, much more than my usual once every 10 days or so.  These dreams were filled with bizarre imagery, some fun flying experiences, but also some strange kinesthetics that felt like my body was being stretched, as well as some violent imagery.

In the past, I experimented with galantamine, vitamin B5 and choline together, and have had several sleep paralysis-induced lucid dreams that have been pretty powerful. (Choline is a common amino acid found in many foods –like bananas and potatoes–that is used as raw material in the brain to produce acetylcholine.) If you are a light sleeper, I recommend galantamine without B vitamins, as they can increase awakenings, and even make it hard to get back to sleep.

Now that I know what to expect, I have been able to transform these strange wake-to-lucid dream experiences and sleep paralysis into out-of-body experiences and lucid dreams that lasted over 15 minutes (in elapsed dream time).  

I personally use the supplement as part of larger dream incubation sessions which last several days and include journaling, abstinence from alcohol and meat, as well as increased mediation and time spent in nature.

The First Taste of Lucidity

I’m reminded of the Buddhist concept of “the first taste,” which is described as the first fleeting brush with an expanded awareness. It can come upon us suddenly and spontaneously, and then be no where to be seen for many years afterwards.  But this taste of the “goal” is what gives practitioners the courage and perseverance needed to pursue a path towards greater lucidity and mindfulness.

Similarly, for those new to lucid dreaming, I believe galantamine can be a helpful ingredient to bring about a “first taste” of self-awareness in dreams.

Where to Buy Galantamine for Lucid Dreaming

I recommend two sources for galantamine.

The first is Galantamind by Life Enhancement. This is a popular blend of galantamine synthesized from the common snowdrop, with an extra shot of choline and B5 for increased dream bizarreness. I recommend getting the 4mg bottle (as opposed to the 8mg) as you can start small, and then if needed, just take two to get a bigger dose.

If you are a light sleeper, however, I would suggest pure galantamine by HSW or Smart Nutrition instead.  Unlike other popular brands currently on the market, these 2 sources do not include B5, (as I said, B5 can lead to increased awakenings for some).

 

References

Amatruda, TT, III, Black DA, McKenna TM, McCarley RW, Hobson JA (1975). Sleep cycle control and cholinergic mechanisms: differential effects of carbachol injections at pontine brain stem sites.Brain Research, 98, p. 501-515.

Duvoisin, RC., Plaitakis A. (1983). Homer’s moly identified as Galanthus nivalis L.: physiologic antidote to stramonium poisoning.  Clinical Neuropharmacology, March; 6(1), p. 1-5.

Hobson, J.A. (1988), The Dreaming Brain. New York: Basic Books.

LaBerge, S. (2003). Substances that enhance recall and lucidity during dreaming, United States Patent Application 604138.

La Marca, K. and Laberge, S. (2012). Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine increases the likelihood of lucid dreaming. Poster session, presented June 25, 2012 at the Annual conference for the International Association for the Study of Dreams, Berkeley, CA.

Riemann, D., Gann, H. Dressing, H., Muller W., Aldenhoff, J. (1994). Influence of the cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine hydrobromide on normal sleep.  Psychiatry Research, 51 (3), p. 253-267.

Toro, G. and Thomas, B. (2007). Drugs of the Dreaming.  Rochester, VT: Park Street Press.

Yuschak, T. (2007) Pharmacological induction of lucid dreams. Published online 2007 but not currently available.

Yuschak, T. (2006) Advanced lucid dreaming: the power of supplements. Lulu Enterprises.

http://dreamstudies.org/galantamine-review-lucid-dreaming-pill/

[1yrns4vean19o]

oh, you totally need to do a discussion on the "stranger" CJT! Thanks so much for the advice and warnings. 

[1yrns4vean19o]

Heheh :)  

Maybe a good idea would be to focus on "how to handle the stranger" so that if anyone finds themselves in that situation they can be prepared.