For example, if we realised during a nightmare that we were just dreaming, then the nightmare would cease to be scary. If something scary is chasing us in a non-lucid dream, then we have to keep running. If for some reason the dream happens to become lucid, i.e. we realise that we are dreaming, then we can turn and face the scary monster chasing us – typically it will then cease to be a threat.
    An observed aspect of lucid dreams is that they are often very vivid compared to normal non-lucid dreams. One interpretation of this is that the vividness is a purposeful attempt to compensate for the reduction of intensity in your reaction to the dream which occurs when you realise that it is just a dream.