They have designed a smartphone app which plays sounds such as birds in woodland or waves lapping against the shore.
The idea is that the noises should direct pleasant dreaming.
Prof. Richard Wiseman, who is launching the trial as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, wants thousands of people to take part.
Rather than recruiting people directly, the “mass participation” trial relies on members of the public volunteering.
The sounds are played around 20 minutes before participants say they want to wake up.
The Dream:ON app monitors movements to sense when the sleeper has started dreaming. It then plays the sounds.
When it senses the person has stopped dreaming, the alarm goes off. The person is then asked to send a description of the dream to the “Dream Catcher” database.
Prof Wiseman said: “Getting a good night’s sleep and having pleasant dreams boosts people’s productivity, and is essential for their psychological and physical well-being.
“Despite this, we know very little about how to influence dreams – this experiment aims to change that.”
Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…
Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…
Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…
Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…
Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…
Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…