Do You Dream?

There are some who say they do not dream. But the likelihood is they do, they just don’t remember them. Daydreamers who have a more positive attitude towards dreams, are more likely to remember them; the same goes for light sleepers.

Dreaming takes place during the fourth stage of the sleep cycle; the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) part of sleep. Each cycle lasts around 90 minutes.

Stage 1 and 2 is when our mind and body start to relax.
Stage 3 is deep sleep when our blood pressure drops and our breathing slows down.
This is when our body sets about repairing itself and renewing blood cells. When a
person is in deep sleep, it is very difficult to wake them up.
Stage 4 is when the brain kicks into action. Your breathing rate increases, and your
eyes start moving rapidly. Your dream state begins.

Whilst your mind becomes active, your muscles are temporarily paralysed to prevent
you from carrying out the actions in your dreams.

The Science

The brain is composed of up to 80billion neurons, and it is their electrical activity that
generates oscillations known as brain waves.

The five types of brain wave are: alpha, beta, theta, delta, and gamma.

As we head into sleep, the beta and gamma waves reduce, and the alpha increases.
Brain waves are in Herz (Hz):
Alpha. 8 – 14 Hz. Active when you are relaxed.
Theta. 4 – 8 Hz. Help with creativity. Also active during REM sleep.
Delta. 0.5 – 4 Hz. Happens during deep sleep when your body goes through recovery process and new cells are produced.
Beta. 14 – 38 Hz. Help you concentrate.
Gamma. 38 – 80 Hz. When you need to problem solve and need strong mental activity.

No News Here

Dreams are nothing new. The ancient civilisations saw them as important messages from the gods, and would often base their decisions on them.

Between the 16 th and 18 th centuries, the age of discovery when science and technology advanced, the myth and mystique of dreams were dismissed.

But as the 20 th century approached, the function of the brain once more started to interest philosophers and professionals alike; dreams and their purpose fell back into favour.

Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freud’s book, The Interpretation of Dreams, proposed that if we understood our dreams, acted out our repressed impulses, it would help us take control of our fears and anxieties.

It was more than a century later, in 2011, that Freud’s theory was given credence by a group of American scientists who suggested our dreams were a form of personal overnight therapy.

Robert Stickgold, a Harvard professor, believes the brain creates stories around the experiences and worries we face during our waking hours, turning a bland anxiety into a colourful tale. This is our imagination attempting to create a scenario that enables our brain to understand a problem. Stickgold believes that if we can tap into these dreams as we are experiencing them, it could improve our mental health.

Lucid Dreaming

With the help of science, and as we understand more about the function of the brain, scientists believe that if you are able to consciously control the direction of your dream, whilst you are asleep, it will significantly help mental wellbeing.

Lucid dreaming is a skill that can be taught, and tests have shown it benefits people suffering from PTSD.

Dream On

There is no disputing our dreams are linked to events and emotions we experience, and whilst the scientists continue to analyse the process, here are a few explanations you may find helpful.

• Dreaming about going to the toilet – you are feeling vulnerable or fear exposure
  
• If you sneeze in your dream – you have sorted something out that was bothering you, and the sneeze is the ejection of the problem
• Dreaming about huge waves towering above you – you are going through a major change in your life, and you are fearful of the unknown

What have you been dreaming about?

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