Verified by Psychology Today

Michelle Carr Ph.D.

About

Michelle Carr, Ph.D., is a researcher at the University of Montreal and Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine. She holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from the University of Montreal, where she conducted research at the Dream and Nightmare Laboratory. Her work focuses on the role of REM sleep and dreams in emotional memory, along with comparative studies of nightmare disorder and PTSD. Other research interests include sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming, consciousness studies, and the use of dreamwork in psychology.

Recent Posts
The Empathy Theory of Dreaming
Several papers over the past few years have demonstrated personal insight gains and social empathy boosts afforded by sharing and discussing dreams.
Dreaming of the Sleep Lab
What do participants dream about when they come into the sleep laboratory for experiments? It seems their dreams are wary of being observed.
How Do Dreams Change Throughout a Night of Sleep?

Many researchers believe that dreams offer a window into the functions of sleep, possibly revealing the types of information that are processed during sleep.

Many researchers believe that dreams offer a window into the functions of sleep, possibly revealing the types of information that are processed during sleep.

Scientists Can Communicate With Lucid Dreamers While They Sleep

Can we communicate with dreamers while they’re asleep and in their dream world? Can we ask questions about their dreams as they are occurring? Can we record dreams? Direct dreams?

Can we communicate with dreamers while they’re asleep and in their dream world? Can we ask questions about their dreams as they are occurring? Can we record dreams? Direct dreams?

Can Virtual Reality Enhance Lucid Dream Training?

VR training led to an increased incidence of lucid dreams, when combined with a classic lucid dream induction technique.

VR training led to an increased incidence of lucid dreams, when combined with a classic lucid dream induction technique.

Lucid Dreaming Is Linked to Better Morning Mood

Besides being a treatment for nightmares, the experience of lucid dreams in general may be associated with better mood in the morning.

Besides being a treatment for nightmares, the experience of lucid dreams in general may be associated with better mood in the morning.

Flying Dreams Induced by Virtual Reality

A recent study aimed to induce flying dreams in participants through the use of a virtual reality flying task, and a subsequent nap in the sleep laboratory.

A recent study aimed to induce flying dreams in participants through the use of a virtual reality flying task, and a subsequent nap in the sleep laboratory.

Can You Recreate Real-World Scenes in Lucid Dreams?

In a recent study, participants were asked to study an experimental room, and they then attempted to recreate this experimental scene while in a lucid dream.

In a recent study, participants were asked to study an experimental room, and they then attempted to recreate this experimental scene while in a lucid dream.