The nature of dreams is ephemeral, mystical and seems to follow no set rules or guidelines. But the substance of dreams, the building blocks that they are made up of is less obscure. Dreams are collections of sensations; image, sound, feelings, even emotions arrayed in a sometimes jumbled jigsaw-like sequence. This is not unlike modern media in many ways and thus on face of it a virtual recreation is the natural next step.

Virtual dreaming is a cathartic way of dealing with sensitive and complicated issues. In a way the process is like a vaccine, prompting the body’s own immune system to spring into action against a harmful agent. Virtual dreaming uses a process we refer to as dream incubation, in which we implant the seed of an idea in the subject. In simple terms what we do is a condensed version of going to sleep thinking very hard about a particular issue, say a problem at work or an unsettling experience. The subjects own mind does the rest, with very little external stimulus or influence.

In this manner the subject is free to explore their own issues in the most natural manner possible, in their dreams. The process is simple. Electrical stimulation of the brain induces a dreamlike state. This is a well established fact. Continued research led to the discovery that as the entire human body can act as a conductor of electricity and virtual dreaming uses a mild electric current through the skin which then acts as a natural surge suppressor and effective safety net. The current travels up the body and arrives at the brain as one more signal amongst many.

Consider the human sense of touch for example, a very similar process and one that is in fact factored into our technology. You reach out to touch something, feel the shape and the texture. How are you doing this? Through the nerves in the tips of your fingers which then transmit electrical impulses back to your brain. Is it hot or cold? Soft? Sharp? Is the sensation pleasurable or rather painful?

The virtual dream signal can in essence piggy-back along this very signal via a simple touch-pad all the way to the brain. The brain interprets the signal in a manner more efficient than any super-computer in existence today and the signal causes neurons in the brain to fire, building upon the suggestion, the electrical signal received, with input from a person’s own memories and imagination.

The process takes place in such a way that in the majority of cases the dreamer will be aware that they are in fact dreaming and have a degree of control over how they interact with their virtual dream and how that dream unfolds. It is this control factor that we have found to be the most beneficial aspect in the therapeutic use of dream, as it empowers the dreamer.