In a development that sounds straight out of science fiction, REMspace, a California-based neurotech startup, claims to have achieved the first two-way communication between individuals during lucid dreaming.
Using specially designed equipment, participants reportedly exchanged a message while asleep—an extraordinary claim that has yet to be peer-reviewed.
This milestone, if validated, could mark a turning point in dream research, with REMspace suggesting applications from mental health therapies to skill training.
Communication While Dreaming
REMspace is a neurotechnology company specializing in sleep enhancement and lucid dreaming. Using specially designed equipment, REMspace claims that two individuals successfully induced lucid dreams and exchanged a simple message with each other.
In May 2023, REMspace founder Michael Raduga made headlines after reportedly drilling into his own skull to implant a microchip in an attempt to control his dreams. Raduga, who shared details and graphic images on social media, claims the chip was designed to stimulate his brain’s motor cortex during REM sleep. Despite nearly dying from blood loss, he remains optimistic about the experiment’s potential.
It is important to highlight that while Raduga describes his self-administered procedure as groundbreaking, Raduga is not a qualified neurosurgeon.
Lucid dreaming, according to WebMD, is the state of being aware that you are dreaming while asleep. While around 50 percent of people report experiencing at least one lucid dream, the idea of communication within such a state is still in its early stages of research.
Applications for Lucid Dreaming
In a press release, REMspace claimed that lucid dreaming, particularly during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage, holds many potential applications, including solving mental health issues and learning new skills.
Raduga emphasizes the psychological advantages of lucid dreaming, suggesting that it can help reduce nightmares, confront phobias, and address personal issues. He also asserts that it’s possible to train new skills during lucid dreams.
The REMspace team claims they achieved communication between two participants during a lucid dream on September 24, 2024. According to Raduga, participants received random words generated by a server through earbuds while they were dreaming. One participant reportedly repeated the word in their dream, and the second confirmed it after waking, which REMspace describes as the first instance of two-way dream communication.
Raduga also claims that the team has developed a dream language called Remmyo, which can be detected through electromyography sensors. These sensors are capable of capturing specific sounds produced during dreams. According to REMspace, this technology allows for real-time communication while dreaming, though these results have yet to be peer-reviewed.
The Path Forward with Dream Communication
As REMspace continues to explore what they describe as revolutionary research, they are also offering products such as intelligent sleeping masks and a platform for sharing dream journals.
Looking ahead, they claim to be working on enabling more complex forms of dream communication, including full conversations and interactions with external servers.
Raduga predicts that within a few years, “dream communication will become common.” Until then, the scientific community awaits peer-reviewed evidence to substantiate these intriguing, but currently unverified claims.
This article was updated on Oct. 10, 2024.
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on The Debrief’s YouTube Channel on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton and at chrissynewton.com.