Sleep states can be manipulated to induce virtual environment-like experiences
While studies show that sensory cues and targeted stimulation during sleep can influence dream content and create immersive internal experiences, methodological challenges regarding precise stimulus incorporation remain.
Multiple studies demonstrate that targeted memory reactivation, vestibular stimulation, and cueing techniques can successfully manipulate sleep states to alter dream content and induce immersive, simulation-like experiences akin to virtual environments. Although some studies note methodological challenges with sensory incorporation, the preponderance of positive findings on cue-induced dream modifications supports the claim.
Carbone J, Diekelmann S. An update on recent advances in targeted memory reactivation during sleep.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-024-00244-8
Targeted memory reactivation uses sensory cues during sleep to manipulate dream content and memory processing.
Peters E, Pöhlmann J, Wang X, Dresler M, Erlacher D. A Comparative Study of Muscular, Vestibular, and Haptic Stimulation on Dream Incorporation. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.05.626974
Attempts to incorporate specific somatosensory stimuli into dreams showed similar incorporation rates in sham conditions, questioning the reliability of direct sensory manipulation.
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Windt JM. How deep is the rift between conscious states in sleep and wakefulness? Spontaneous experience over the sleep-wake cycle.. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0696
Spontaneous experiences across the sleep-wake cycle form a continuous spectrum, suggesting subjective environments exist within sleep.
Simor P, Bogdány T, Peigneux P. Predictive coding, multisensory integration, and attentional control: A multicomponent framework for lucid dreaming.. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2123418119
Lucid dreaming involves vivid, perceptually intense internal simulations and kinesthetic experiences during sleep.
Peters E, Wang X, Fischer K, Bühler N, Morath N, Heitmann J, Nussbaumer E, Kredel R, Maurer S, Dresler M, Erlacher D. Balancing Lucidity: Muscle and Vestibular Stimulation for Lucid Dream Induction. 2026. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.11.711028
Vestibular and muscular stimulation during sleep can successfully influence and induce specific dream awareness and experiences.
Konkoly KR, Morris DJ, Hurka K, Martinez AM, Sanders KEG, Paller KA. Creative problem-solving after experimentally provoking dreams of unsolved puzzles during REM sleep.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niaf067
External sensory cues can provoke and bias dream content toward specific challenges or virtual scenarios.
Brandão DS, Scott RNB, Soares ES, Mota NB, Ribeiro S. Dream content and slow waves benefit prey against predator in a video game confrontation.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42759-7
Dreams act as offline mental simulations of environmental challenges, akin to virtual reality experiences.
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