Rammyo “sleep language” may help researchers communicate with lucid dreamers, claims study

The name of the language is derived from the sleep state (REM) and myo, a Greek word for muscle. It allows dreamers to communicate while in deep sleep using a technique known as facial surface electromyography (EMG).

“Previously, dreamers could hear sounds from reality and respond with some simple signals, but they could not speak back. In this study, facial surface electromyography (EMG) was tested as a proof of concept for unmuting people in LDs [lucid dreams],” says the research paper.

According to ARS Technica, the study experiment was conducted on people in a sleep laboratory at Frankfurt University's Neurological Clinic in Germany.

Details about Remmyo and how to enter the REM phase, which takes about 90 minutes, were taught to study participants.

Participants could speak in this language once they entered a lucid dreaming state, the results showed. EMG sensors monitored and decoded their facial muscle movements and eventually translated the information to the researchers.

Early stages

Remmyo currently consists of only a few letters that could be paired with the sounds of facial muscles, recognized by EMG.

Researchers claim that people can learn Remmyo during their waking hours — just like any other language. They can then put it into practice while they sleep.

"Four LD practitioners were trained to pronounce a short phrase or a word in Remmyo and were then asked to achieve the same task in LDs under polysomnographic observation,” explains the study. The software was developed to translate facial EMG impulses into Remmyo sounds and letters, translate words into English, and digitally vocalize the final text in English" the study says.

Researchers admit that the new sleep language needs some fine tuning as results so far appear to be uncertain.

“Due to software failures, mispronunciations, and missing sounds, the decoding efficiency in real-time or in recordings ranged from 13% to 81%. The first phrase and words heard from sleeping people were “no war” and “freedom", the study explains.

Despite controversial results, the study shows that, with further development, people could possibly talk in LDs and could be heard in reality with the help of EMG sensors,” stated the research paper.  

The study has been published in the journal Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice.

Study abstract:

Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to communicate with people in lucid dreams (LDs), during which it is possible to maintain consciousness. Previously, dreamers could hear sounds from reality and respond with some simple signals, but they could not speak back. In this study, facial surface electromyography (EMG) was tested as a proof of concept for unmuting people in LDs. Remmyo, an EMG distinctive constructed language, was used. The software was developed to translate facial EMG impulses into Remmyo sounds and letters, translate words into English, and digitally vocalize the final text in English. Four LD practitioners were trained to pronounce a short phrase or a word in Remmyo and were then asked to achieve the same task in LDs under polysomnographic observation. LDs were verified by preagreed eye movements in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Four volunteers tried to speak in Remmyo in 15 LDs. Due to software failures, mispronunciations, and missing sounds, the decoding efficiency in real time or in recordings ranged from 13% to 81%. The first phrase and word heard from sleeping people were “no war” and “freedom.” The later was automatically translated and vocalized in English in real time for 11 times. Despite controversial results, the study shows that, with further development, people could possibly talk in LDs and could be heard in reality with the help of EMG sensors. To achieve this goal, a range of possible obstacles is discussed. This technology could provide opportunities for LD studies and their practical applications.