Every night, as we slip into sleep, dreaming becomes an integral part of our rest. Sometimes, our dreams seem logically connected to our reality, feeling perfectly reasonable. At other times, they are incredibly bizarre, leaving us in awe. Regardless of their nature, humans are innately curious about dreams. Upon experiencing a peculiar dream, we often feel compelled to uncover its underlying meaning, a practice that dates back to ancient traditions such as the renowned “Interpretation of Dreams by Duke of Zhou.”

The interpretation of dreams has evolved significantly from ancient to modern times. In ancient Greece and Rome, it was believed that gods and demons communicated future prophecies through dreams. Giants of psychology, like Freud, analyzed the dreams of patients with psychological disorders. Not only did he uncover the roots of their conditions, but he also proposed the influential theory that “dreams are a fulfillment of subconscious desires,” contributing immensely to the field of psychology. However, past interpretations of dreams often carried a heavy subjective bias, lacking in objective evidence.

However, with the advancement of modern technology, the study of dreams has become more scientific. Modern researchers utilize various instruments to observe brain activity during sleep, unraveling the mysteries of dreams. These scientific approaches have deepened our understanding of dreams. Although not all secrets of dreams have been fully unveiled, we are gradually getting closer to their truths.

1 - Why Do I Dream?

Even in the 21st century, neuroscientists have yet to fully unravel the mystery of why people dream. Modern neuroscience has proposed several possible explanations: dreams might be a byproduct as the brain tries to clean up daily memories; they could also be meaningless results of random brainwave activities during sleep; or, more humorously, dreams might serve as “cartoons” to prevent us from getting bored while we sleep. Nonetheless, many people prefer to interpret dreams to explore the “real self,” seeking symbolic meanings, such as whether dreaming of snakes signifies a desire for wealth, or if teeth falling out in a dream indicates health issues.

A study from 1977 pointed out that sometimes we dream simply because our bodies respond to external stimuli, which the brain interprets in its own way. While some suggest that dreams play roles in “healing trauma,” “integrating memories,” and “aiding thought,” attributing these as the reasons for dreaming seems far-fetched. Experiments that prevented participants from dreaming resulted in a variety of physiological and psychological abnormalities, indicating that dreaming is one of the key elements for maintaining normal bodily functions.

Further research revealed that dreams primarily occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage. REM sleep is a distinct phase characterized by rapid movement of the eyes, accelerated breathing and heartbeat, and temporary limb paralysis. Those awakened during this phase often report vivid dreams. Recent studies suggest that REM sleep may improve individuals’ performance in newly learned tasks, possibly functioning as an adaptive survival mechanism.

2 - Do Some People Never Dream?

Some claim they never dream, but in reality, everyone dreams during sleep. The difference lies in the ability to remember dreams upon waking. So, why do many forget their dreams?

There are several scientific theories regarding this phenomenon. One theory suggests that during deep sleep, the brain’s memory function temporarily shuts down, similar to its motor functions. It’s only when we’re about to wake up that these functions gradually reactivate, and dreams may then be “remembered.” Another theory proposes that while our dream experiences are stored in memory, we typically can’t actively “retrieve” these memories, except occasionally when dreams “suddenly” emerge into consciousness. Some scholars believe dreams are a combination and recombination of existing memories, like a movie shot through a kaleidoscope, with these “films” already stored in the brain.

For those worried about not remembering or believing they don’t dream, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. If we remembered every dream vividly, we might start to blend reality with our dreamscapes. Scientific research indicates that almost everyone experiences dreams during sleep. Those who claim they don’t dream simply forget their dreams. A lack of dream recall over a long period might not suggest high-quality sleep but could indicate brain function issues. Recent studies affirm that dreaming is a mechanism by which the brain maintains bodily function balance, crucial for healthy brain development and sustaining normal cognitive abilities. Therefore, if someone can’t recall any dreams over a long period, it’s actually a situation worth paying attention to.

3 - Why Do We Feel “I’ve Dreamed of This Before”?

Many people might have experienced moments when, although wide awake, they suddenly feel as if “I’ve said this phrase in a dream” or “I’ve dreamt about this scenario before.” This phenomenon is so common that it has a specific name — “déjà vu,” a French term literally meaning “already seen.”

There are various interpretations of déjà vu, including mystical explanations such as past lives or reincarnation. However, from a neuroscientific perspective, the phenomenon isn’t as mystical. In fact, déjà vu frequently occurs in individuals with epilepsy. Medical research has found that déjà vu can occur when there’s abnormal electrical discharge in the brain, especially in an area called the “olfactory cortex.”

Such abnormal discharges are not exclusive to people with epilepsy; most normal individuals may occasionally experience similar “brain short-circuits.” The difference is, during an epileptic episode, the brain function of someone with epilepsy is significantly affected, whereas normal individuals experiencing déjà vu might only be briefly confused.

A well-known hypothesis suggests the occurrence of déjà vu might be due to a “short-circuit” in the brain circuits responsible for memory formation, leading us to mistakenly believe that the current experience is being “replayed” from past memories, even though those memories are actually fresh and new.

4 - How to Control Dreams?

In 1913, scientists introduced the concept of “lucid dreaming,” where a person becomes aware that they are dreaming and might be able to influence the direction of the dream according to their will.

Controlling dreams is not exclusive to lucid dreaming. In fact, people can have some level of control over their dreams even without the awareness that they are in a dream. Actively controlling dreams is believed to offer several potential benefits, such as overcoming nightmares, practicing for real-life challenges in a safe, virtual environment, fostering creative thinking, and healing emotional wounds.

The scientific foundation behind this ability is intriguing. Indeed, many people worldwide are dedicated to achieving a state of lucid dreaming and have developed various techniques and methods for this purpose, including dream journaling, performing reality checks, or identifying dream signs. There are even commercial courses designed to teach these techniques.

While the benefits of lucid dreaming are of interest, the question of whether these benefits are worth fervently pursuing is another matter. Experts suggest that while it’s possible to cultivate the ability to have lucid dreams, the pursuit of these potential benefits should not be overemphasized.

For those who are intrigued by the mysterious world of dreams, we have a fascinating series of articles for you. From uncovering the scientific secrets behind our dreams to learning how dreams can enhance self-awareness, and exploring the connection between dreaming and creativity, these pieces will offer you fresh insights and revelations. We also highly recommend articles that delve into how dreams can be used for emotional healing and how lucid dreaming techniques can improve your quality of life. Whether you’re a beginner to dream exploration or looking to dive deeper into the secrets of the dream world, these reads are sure to satisfy your curiosity. Embark on your dream exploration journey and unlock the many possibilities that lie within your dreams!

You can Interpret with your dream here.