Galantamine has a reputation as the “lucid dreaming pill.” This natural extract is actually much more than that: it increases memory function, makes dreams more vivid, and even helps with dream recall. Lucid dreaming – or becoming more aware in your dreams – is really a side effect of galantamine’s effect on dream enhancement.

Did you Know?
The FDA approved Galantamine in 2001 as a treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. The supplement, derived from red spider lily, snowdrop plant and the common daffodil, does not cure Alzheimer’s, but does temporarily add memory function for some patients. This increase in memory is also responsible for increased dream recall when the pill is taken at night.

Galantamine is extracted as galanthamine hydrobromide. The substance is processed in the liver but effects brain chemistry within an hour.

Scientifically it is known as a cholinesterase inhibitor. It counteracts the action of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that in turn breaks down acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter.

Therefore, galantamine indirectly ups the levels of acetylcholine in the brain for a few hours after ingestion.  It is precisely high levels of acetylcholine that are associated with higher memory function, a more robust REM sleep cycle, and more vivid dreams.

Of course, it is the association with increased lucid dreams that gets a lot of attention today. Lucid dreaming in notoriously difficult to learn, but once you have your first lucid dream, the goal becomes easier to reach with each passing week. Galantamine can level the playing field for that first lucid dream due to its strong action on the dreaming mind.

Specifically, galantamine is known to increase the likelihood of a wake-induced lucid dream. These lucid dreams are especially prized as they are known for their clarity and longer duration. Galantamine actually increases awakenings in the middle of the night, giving the dreamer more chances to stay aware as he or she falls back asleep.

Recently I have been experimenting with supplements that contain galantamine paired with vitamin B5 and choline. These additional “brain foods” provide the raw materials to increase acetylcholine levels of the brain precisely when galantamine is working to prevent aceltylcholine levels from dropping. I have found this combination to be very effective, resulting in a doubling of the lucid dreams I ordinarily have in a given week.

Personally, I cannot recommend that you take galantamine every night. Instead, have a “lucid dream incubation” period for about a week, and pick a week that your life is relatively calm in other ways. You want a stable home environment whenever doing deep dream work like lucid dream incubations.

Make note that a pill alone will not make you lucid. I suggest to also be working with traditional methods of lucid dream induction, especially reality checks, during the day.   Also, I have found that having an active life as well as a meditation or mindfulness practice can greatly increase the opportunities to lucid dream.  (I discuss all this in my lucid dreaming guide.)

Also, be aware that the best time to take galantamine is in the middle of the night. Otherwise, the substance interferes with deep sleep periods in the early night, which can lead to some unpleasant scenarios. The longer REM (dreaming sleep) periods are towards morning.

To learn more about galantamine and how to pair it with dream practices, as well as more potential dangers, check out my no-holds-barred review of galantamine the lucid dreaming pill here.

Note that this hub is educational information only, and should not be considered medical advice. Do not take galantamine if you have a history of asthma, epilesy, or ulcers. Always ask your doctor if galatamine is the right choice, especially if you have other prescription medications.