The interesting science behind dreams: Here’s what you need to know
Dreams have inspired reams of research in the field of psychology. But have you ever wondered how dreams are formed? Well, human brain works in a complex way to give birth to dreams. Curious to know more about it? Then, keep reading because we are going to delve into the science behind dreams and much more.
Why do we dream?
Our brain can be compared to a large factory that works tirelessly throughout the day. Even when we go to bed, our brain does not stop working. However, it operates at a reduced capacity, with the decision-making part of the brain taking a break. This is the time when our imagination takes over and our dreams come to life. Our brain stores all events and memories from the day, and when we sleep, it mixes and matches them, creating a movie-like experience in our minds! Dreams are not just entertaining; they are also beneficial. They can inspire us to create stories or artwork, and can also help regulate our emotions. For example, a happy dream can leave us in high spirits upon waking, while a scary dream may leave us feeling down. In essence, dreams are the brain's way of processing memories, and the outcome is the mental movie that we experience while we sleep.
How do we dream?
Dreams have long been a mystery to scientists as their formation process is a complex interplay between our memories and brain activity. Our experiences throughout the day are stored in our brain, and during sleep, the brain begins to sort and categorise these memories. Some memories can go into the long-term storage part of the brain, while others are stored in the short-term storage part of the brain. This activity happens when you are in that stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement or REM sleep. During this stage, our brain is super active and sorts memories at a rapid pace. As the brain sorts through these memories, clips of them are converted into visual images, which we perceive as dreams. Some dreams may only last for a few minutes, while others can last up to 20 minutes. So, the next time you drift off into the world of dream, remember that your brain is hard at work, creating an alternate reality for you to explore.
Can we control our dreams?
Have you ever been in a dream where you felt like you had the power to control your actions? Well, that's called lucid dreaming! It's a phenomenon that occurs when your brain is processing memories during REM sleep and your consciousness becomes aware that you are dreaming. This awareness can give you the ability to manipulate the dream and alter its course. For instance, if you are dreaming about ordering the food you dislike, you can tell yourself to order something else. Even though the exact process of gaining control over your dream is not yet fully understood, lucid dreaming has been recorded in historical texts such as Aristotle's work On Dreams. While it's more commonly experienced by people under the age of 25, anyone can have a lucid dream. So, the next time you find yourself in an exciting dream, remember that your brain is working hard to create something unique just for you, and who knows, you might just be able to take charge of it!