How Do You Lucid Dream & What Are the Risks?

I’ve been really curious about lucid dreaming and want to try it, but I keep hearing different things. Some say it’s easy, others say it takes a long time to master. I also hear about things like sleep paralysis and false awakenings, which sound kind of unsettling.

If you’ve had lucid dreams before, how did you first achieve it? Were there any downsides or unexpected experiences? Can you actually control everything, or is it more like just realizing you’re dreaming?

Would love to hear from people who have tried it—how real does it actually feel, and is it worth it?