One of the most commonly shared experiences among people socially is the dream experienced during sleep. Each night, depending on how much sleep you get and how many rapid eye movement cycles you go through, you can be anywhere from one to five or six dreams. But you can only remember the most vivid or recurring dreams.
There are no limits in the world of dreams, and they can range from scary to exciting to downright bizarre. Especially if you wake up from a disturbing or strange dream, you might wonder why you saw the things you did in the dream. Unfortunately, scientists cannot attribute specific meanings to every dream. Deciphering what the subconscious mini-movies mean is more the work of dreamers. However, with the help of three sleep experts in this dream guide, you can start examining your own.
What Exactly Are Dreams?
Simply put, “Dreams are thoughts, images, sensations, and sometimes sounds that occur during sleep.”
There’s no definitive evidence of what dreams are made of, but generally, dreams are understood to represent a collection of thoughts, struggles, emotions, events, people, places, and symbols somehow related to the dreamer. The most vivid dreams typically occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, but you can also dream during other stages of sleep.
“Why Do I Dream?”
Scientists say there are many theories about the function of dreams. Adding that neuroscientists have discovered that dreams also assist in information processing and mood regulation, they state, “It seems to help with memory formation, integration, problem-solving, and reinforcing ideas both about ourselves and the world.”
Scientists say that while there is much known about the physiological aspects of dreaming when people experience them, there is still much to be explored about the psychological aspects. For example, researchers know that individuals with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) are more likely to experience nightmares. However, individuals without PTSD also have nightmares, so it cannot be said that nightmares always accompany psychological conditions.
A widely accepted concept is that dreaming is a highly emotional process because the amygdala, an emotional center in your brain, is one of the most active areas of your brain during dreams, according to neuroimaging studies.
“Why Do I Forget My Dreams?”
Scientists say that part of this is biological, as neurotransmitters that form memory are less active during sleep, and dream forgetting seems to be associated with the level of electrical activity in the brain during dreams.
The key to remembering dreams is that memory only lasts for a short period, so you need to write down your dream or repeat it in your mind several times. Most neuroscientists say that forgetting dreams is more common than remembering them.
When you wake up is also crucial. Research shows that people who wake up during REM sleep report more vivid, detailed dreams, while those who wake up during non-REM sleep tend to experience fewer dreams, report not dreaming at all, or have less significant dreams.
The Social Meaning of Dreams
The meanings of dreams are largely speculative, but what matters most is how your dreams are related to your own life.
People have always tried to interpret their dreams.
Attributing specific meanings to dreams has been popular in popular culture as both entertainment and a source of self-reflection. However, does anyone really know what dreams mean?
Some may say that dreams are a way for your brain to process thoughts and emotions, but no one can fully understand their purposes. We’ve gathered information on the most commonly seen societal dreams and what they might mean to explore the possibilities.
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Seeing Death in a Dream
This dream is actually quite common, so you may wake up feeling unsettled, but know that it doesn’t necessarily mean something pathological. It’s believed that dreams are a way for our subconscious minds to work through events we experience while awake and communicate with us using symbols. In other words, in most cases, you shouldn’t take the events of a dream literally. Seeing your own death isn’t necessarily a sign of a premonition or an indication of an untimely demise.
In fact, if you die in a dream, it’s often seen as a positive sign that changes and new beginnings are ahead. Seeing yourself die in a dream can be intense and frightening, but death in dreams simply draws attention to the theme of transformation. Your subconscious brings up the theme of death in dreams to show you where you’re letting go of things that no longer serve you in order to make room for new beginnings.
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Seeing a Dead Person in a Dream
Seeing dead people in your dreams represents your guilt and dissatisfaction with your own actions in life, and sometimes symbolizes your own disappointments.
Seeing deceased individuals in dreams, especially if these deceased individuals are loved ones, is an indication of self-fulfillment. You are on the verge of triumphing over trials and will successfully achieve the desires of your heart. A deceased person whom you deeply respect appears in your dream when you are in a period of success in your waking life.
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Seeing yourself being chased in a dream
In these dreams, you may not be able to exactly determine what or who is chasing you. You may also feel like you can’t run fast or that attempting to run faster actually slows you down.
Dream interpreters often interpret these dreams as indicating that you are trying to avoid something in your life or trying to escape from fears or unwanted desires.
If you can determine what or who is chasing you, it can further explain your dream. For example, a dream about being chased by a potential romantic interest could mean you’re afraid of romance or a new relationship.
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To see yourself falling in a dream
These dreams are often attributed to anxiety. Many people believe that falling dreams occur to express fears or insecurities where you feel like you have no control.
Dream interpreters also believe that falling dreams signify that something in your life is not going as well as you hoped. Perhaps you are failing at work or in a relationship, and such issues can lead to these types of dreams.
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To see your tooth falling out in a dream
In dreams, teeth either fall out or become loose and wobbly. Some people may even dream of suddenly not having teeth at all. If you’ve experienced this, don’t worry.
This is likely your brain’s way of coping with a situation where you feel weak, embarrassed, or unable to communicate. Such dreams may also indicate concerns about your personal appearance or fears that you may have said something embarrassing.
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Seeing You Are Pregnant in Your Dream
Dreams related to pregnancy or preparing for childbirth can indicate that you are experiencing a new beginning in your life. Of course, this could be having a child, but it could also be something else that you are about to embark on.
Perhaps you are considering a career change, starting a new relationship, or moving to a new city. All of these things could lead you to imagine that you are pregnant.
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Not being able to talk in dreams
Have you ever had a dream where you desperately tried to speak or scream, but couldn’t? Some people say they feel like something is blocking their mouths in these dreams. There might also be extremely sticky foods in their mouths that they can’t swallow.
Dreams like these could indicate that there’s something you feel like sharing but can’t. You might feel ignored or like your ideas aren’t being heard or taken into account.
Recurring Dreams
Recurring dreams typically signify an unresolved conflict in waking life. These dreams tend to be negative or stressful and are likely to stop once the issue in your life is resolved.
Repetitive dreams occur in 60 to 75 percent of adults and are more common in women than men. Additionally, they are more likely to manifest in individuals who are not satisfied with their current life situation.
