What's happening when you dream?
Have you ever wondered why we dream? Or what's going on in our brains when we do? You're not alone! Dreams have fascinated people for centuries, and today, we're exploring the science behind these nighttime adventures.
Key takeaways
- Dreams happen mostly during REM sleep, but can occur in other sleep stages too.
- They help with memory, processing emotions, and keeping our brains healthy.
- Sleep problems can affect how we dream and our overall health.
Why do we dream?
Let's start with the big question: why do we dream?
Well, there isn't just one answer. Dreams serve several purposes[1]:
1. Storing memories
Ever studied for a test and then dreamed about it? That's your brain at work! During sleep, especially REM sleep, your brain strengthens connections related to new information. This process helps move short-term memories into long-term storage, solidifying what you've learned [2].
2. Processing emotions
Had a stressful day? Your dreams might help you work through those feelings. Research suggests that REM sleep plays a crucial role in processing and regulating emotions. Dreams can provide a safe space to confront and manage complex feelings [3].
3. Problem solving
Sometimes, we find solutions to problems in our dreams. Our brains keep working on tricky issues while we sleep, often leading to creative solutions. This is why you might wake up with a sudden "aha!" moment [4].
4. Boosting creativity
Many artists and inventors say their best ideas come from dreams. The unique brain activity during REM sleep might help create new connections between ideas that we wouldn't normally make while awake. This can lead to innovative thoughts and creative breakthroughs [5].
5. Practice for real life
Some researchers think dreams might be a safe way to "practice" dealing with dangerous situations. In your dreams, you can face fears or challenges without real-world consequences, potentially preparing you for similar situations in waking life [6].
What happens when you dream?
When you sleep, your brain goes through different stages.
(To learn more about sleep cycles, read this article)
The stage where we dream the most is called REM sleep. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, because during this stage, your eyes move quickly back and forth under your eyelids.
During REM sleep [7]:
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Your brain becomes very active, almost like when you're awake.
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Your body is temporarily paralyzed (this keeps you from acting out your dreams!).
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Your brain uses a lot of energy, sometimes even more than when you're awake [8].
Brain parts involved in dreaming
Different parts of your brain work together to create dreams [9]:
The amygdala
Your brain's emotion center. It goes into overdrive during dreams. That's why dreams can feel so intense - whether you're terrified, overjoyed, or anything in between.
The hippocampus
Your brain's memory hub. It sprinkles bits and pieces of your daily life into your dreams. This is why you might dream about people you know or places you've been.
The prefrontal cortex
Usually in charge of logic and decision-making. But during dreams, it takes a little break. This explains why dreams often feel so strange and don't follow the rules of the real world!
The visual cortex
Paints the vivid pictures you see in your dreams. Amazingly, this part of your brain can be just as active when you're dreaming as when you're awake and looking at something real [10].
Why do dreams feel so real?
That's because the parts of your brain that handle emotions and senses are very active during REM sleep. At the same time, the logical part of your brain is less active, so you're less likely to question the strange things happening in your dream [11].
What if I don't remember my dreams?
If you rarely remember your dreams, don't worry! It's very common.
Here's what you should know:
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Everyone dreams, even if they don't remember [18].
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On average, we dream for about two hours each night [18].
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We're more likely to remember dreams if we wake up during or right after REM sleep [19].
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Some people naturally remember dreams better than others [21].
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Stress, alcohol, and some medications can make it harder to remember dreams [22, 23].
Not remembering your dreams doesn't mean they're not happening or not helping your brain. Your brain is still doing important work while you sleep, even if you don't recall the details [20].
Tips to remember dreams
If you're curious about your dreams and want to remember more of them, here are some strategies that might help:
1. Keep a dream journal
Place a notebook by your bed. Write down any dream fragments you remember as soon as you wake up, even if they seem silly or incomplete.
2. Set an intention
Before going to sleep, tell yourself that you want to remember your dreams. This simple mental note can actually boost your dream recall.
3. Wake up slowly
When possible, let yourself wake up naturally without an alarm. Those drowsy moments between sleep and full wakefulness are often when dreams are easiest to remember.
4. Improve sleep quality
Better sleep usually means better dream recall. Stick to a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
5. Watch what you consume
Alcohol and some medications can make it harder to remember dreams. They can reduce REM sleep, which is when most vivid dreaming happens. If you're concerned about medication effects, talk to your doctor.
Whether you recall your dreams or not, your brain is busy at work while you sleep, consolidating memories, processing emotions, and preparing you for the day ahead. Be patient with yourself and keep trying these techniques!
Dreams and sleep problems
Sleep disorders that can affect dreaming:
Narcolepsy
People with this condition might experience extremely vivid dreams when falling asleep or waking up. These dream-like experiences, called hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, can feel very real[11].
REM sleep behavior disorder
Normally, your body is paralyzed during dream-filled REM sleep. In this disorder, that paralysis doesn't happen. This means people might physically act out their dreams, which can be dangerous [12].
Nightmare disorder
This involves having frequent, upsetting dreams that often jolt you awake. These nightmares are more intense and disturbing than occasional bad dreams and can seriously disrupt sleep[13].
Sleep apnea
In this condition, breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can fragment sleep patterns and affect dreaming. People with sleep apnea might have trouble remembering dreams or experience more negative dream content[14].
(To learn more about sleep apnea, check this article)
Why dreams are so important
Dreams aren't just interesting stories our brains create. They play important roles in our mental and emotional health:
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They can help relieve stress [15].
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They might boost creativity [5].
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They can help solve problems [4].
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They may help process and manage emotions [16].
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Regular, healthy dreaming is linked to better memory and learning [17].
Understanding dreams gives us fascinating insights into how our brains work. While we may never fully understand dreams, scientists are learning more all the time.
Remember, if you're concerned about how your dreams are affecting your sleep or daily life, it's always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider or sleep specialist.
References
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[20] Stickgold, R., & Walker, M. P. (2013). Sleep-dependent memory triage: evolving generalization through selective processing. Nature neuroscience, 16(2), 139-145.
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