Dreams are thought provoking. They can be mysterious. They can be puzzling. They can bring clarity and fear. We can dream for seconds or for up to half an hour at a time. We dream up to five times a night. Our dreams occur during the REM stage of sleep. In REM sleep, our brains are as active as they are when we are awake. These are things that are commonly known about dreams.
Here are several things you may not know:
a) Most of us forget the majority of our dreams.
When we wake up, we, can lose the meaning and imagery of our dreams. To combat this, some people keep a dream journal handy. There is a theory that we forget our dreams because they contain something we would rather not acknowledge.
b) Men have fewer nightmares than women.
Studies show that, generally speaking, have more nightmares than women. These bad dreams can be more vivid and intense than those dreamt by men.
c) You are more likely to have a nightmare if you stay up late.
A Turkish study showed that those who regularly stay up late have a higher chance of having nightmares. This may be due to the fact that cortisol, the stress hormone, levels are higher at night.
d) You may have a great idea in your sleep.
If you have ever had the solution to a problem appear in your dream, you are not alone. This may be due the fact that your brain is relaxed, and your subconscious has a chance to take a crack at the problem.
e) You can achieve fitness in your dream.
If you are looking for a way to burn extra calories, you may find it in your dreams. It has been shown in studies that if you sleep deeply and dream more, you will burn more calories
f) The upside to sadness: better dreams
Still another study shows that those going through strife has shorter, but happier dreams than those who are generally content.
g) If you are pregnant, nightmares can be helpful
It has been shown that women who dream about trauma surrounding the birth of the child go through labor more quickly than those who do not.
h) Dreams can warn you.
Some people have experienced the kind nightmares where they kick and scream. This type of nightmare can be a sign of long-term neurological disorder.
i) Dreams can reduce stress
When people experience the kind of deep sleep encountered while dreaming, stress chemicals in the brain are lower. This chemical ideal can last into waking hours.
j) Recurring dreams are common.
There are over fifty common dream patterns. They mean different things to different individuals, but several people report dreams of falling, arriving to a test they haven’t studied for or losing their teeth.
k) Everyone is doing it (in their sleep.)
Sexual dreams are very common. They vary from kissing to full intercourse.
l) Not everyone dreams in color
Most people have dreams that are in color. Some dream in black and white. It all depends on the individuals background and perception.
m) Paralytic effect
When you are dreaming, your physical self has lower levels of the chemicals that help your motor neurons. This keeps your body in a relaxed state.
n) Animals dream
It has been shown that animals have a deep dream state. It is quite common to see a dog running in their sleep.
o) Dream science
While the interpretation of dreams is an art form, there is a specific field of science, oneirology, that studies the processes used in dreaming.
p) You don’t have to see to dream.
Some dreams are not visual. This is why it is possible for blind people to dream. Blind people have other areas of sensory input; therefore, they can dream.
q) Abstinence makes the dreaming better
If someone has made an abrupt life change, such as quitting smoking or other habit, they will have more vivid dreams. This may be connected to withdrawal symptoms.
r) Deja Vu exists.
Almost everyone has had the feeling that they have had an experience before the actually do. This can be attributed to precognitive dreaming.
s) Dreaming about the familiar
Every face you see in your dreams is someone you have seen before even if you don’t remember them. Our subconscious records all of the faces we see and recycles them in our dreams.
t) Realism occurs in dreams.
Sometimes when we dream, we pick up sounds or smells that are happening in reality. Anyone who dreams of bells ringing and awakens to discover their alarm going off knows this.
The concept that dreams can reduce stress is a positive reinforcement for valuing deep sleep.
The idea that all faces in dreams are those we have seen before, even if not remembered, is a testament to the brain’s complex data storage capabilities.
The correlation between staying up late and having nightmares due to cortisol levels is a novel insight that could be useful for better sleep hygiene.
It’s fascinating how our brain remains active during REM sleep, almost mirroring our wakeful state.
The idea that recurrent dreams are common and have shared patterns is intriguing. It suggests there might be universal themes in the subconscious.
The fact that blind people can dream using other sensory inputs highlights the brain’s adaptability.
The role of dreams in problem-solving and creativity underscores their importance beyond mere entertainment.
Indeed, many historical figures have cited dreams as sources of inspiration for their ideas.
The claim that oneirology is a scientific field focused on dreams shows that dreams are not just a psychological curiosity but also a subject of rigorous study.