If you're looking to learn how to lucid dream, and have decided to explore lucid dreaming on YouTube, it's important to know how to find the very best information, and avoid the bad advice.
This article will share important and easy tips for for those looking to explore lucid dreaming, how to find the best lucid dreaming video on YouTube, and how to avoid misinformation and hype.
Remember, Anyone Can Start A YouTube Channel
You know that annoying teenager who lives down the road? Yes, that skater kid with a rich father, well yes, if he chose to do so, he could start a seemingly popular YouTube channel on the subject of, well anything at all; neuroscience, psychology, cooking, and yes, even lucid dreaming!
Popularity on video sharing websites is absolutely no yardstick for the quality of information being shared. It is important to remember that YouTube does not assess the factual accuracy or verify the credentials of the videos it shares.
Anyone with the motivation can start a YouTube channel on virtually any subject, including lucid dreaming! Worse still, those highly motivated by either greed or attention, could potentially invest large sums of money to artificially inflate the seeming popularity of their channel. There are many services available that allow individuals to buy subscribers and views, and of course, once a channel appears to be popular, genuine humans will be unaware that they've been taken for a ride.
When looking for reliable channels on YouTube, ask yourself the following questions:
How old is the presenter?
While age may not always be a factor for validity, it is unlikely that a teenager or very young adult will have completed the necessarily education, or have the relevant experience to teach a subject accurately.
That is not to say that teenagers cannot share a subject they are passionate about in a very entertaining way, and it's great that they do. Just remember to keep their limited levels of experience in mind when listening to their advice.
Does a channel appear suspiciously popular?
Take a look at the age and popularity of a wide selection of channels on the topic you're exploring. Does one seem suspiciously more popular than the others? Or is one channel very new but has far more subscribers than others?
If so, you may be looking at the result of algorithmic manipulation - which is rarely a good sign for a trustworthy source.
Does the channel have any relevant experience?
Remember, anyone can start a YouTube channel, and popularity on YouTube is not representative of someone's experience, history, or knowledge on a subject. Generally it is advisable to check the credentials of any teacher you choose. If someone has no background in a subject, it's probably safe to say that they are not in a position to teach. Has the channel you've discovered ever appeared outside of YouTube?
Do they have research experience?
Do mainstream media sources consider them a reliable source?
How long have they been studying the subject?
The last thing you want to do is to accidentally be taught be someone less experienced than yourself!
Be Lucid!
Remember, YouTube is not an encyclopaedia, and the information shared on the platform is mostly just the thoughts of tech savvy members of the public.
Again, remember that popularity on YouTube is rarely a sign of legitimacy, and certainly not a sign of factual accuracy.
If any channels you discover while exploring lucid dreaming on YouTube do not pass the tests above, you can safely assume that you're dealing with an unreliable source, or at best, an enthusiastic beginner sharing their hobby.
We're Here to help!
If you're feeling lost, we've done the hard work for you, and have compiled a list of reliable lucid dreaming channels on YouTube.
Or, if you prefer your lucid dreaming advice from an expert with decades of experience in the field, then why not check out the lucid dreaming channel from Daniel Love, The Lucid Guide.
Here's a sample:
