Why Do We Dream?

Imagine this. It’s winter 1862 and you’re a chemistry professor in Belgium. You're tackling one of chemistry's biggest puzzles: the structure of Benzene. Benzene, a smelly and highly flammable hydrocarbon molecule, has an unusual ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms. While most hydrocarbons have more hydrogen atoms than carbon, benzene has an equal number of each: 6. What peculiar molecular arrangement could accommodate these atoms? Feeling frustrated, you swivel your chair toward the cozy fire and doze off. As you slumber, images of atoms and molecules dance in your mind, coalescing into a series of intertwining snakes. Suddenly, one of the serpents coils around and bites its own tail, resembling the ancient symbol of the ouroboros. In this moment, you unravel the chemical structure of benzene — just as German chemist August Kekulé famously did in 1862, revolutionizing organic chemistry in the process. It's a contribution to science that immortalized him with a beloved statue, often adorned in whimsical attire. And all this while he was asleep. Thanks to... a dream? It sparks curiosity: Why DO we dream? August Kekulé's dream-induced discovery of benzene's molecular shape stands as one of history's most renowned dream instances. Yet, for most, dreams encompass more than scientific revelations. Throughout history, humans have pondered the purpose and significance of dreams, dating back to the ancient philosophies of Plato and Zhu Xi. However, only in recent decades have scientific endeavors shed light on the potential benefits of our nocturnal narratives. Yes, benefits — plural. Scientists propose that dreams may serve various functions influencing our success, intellect, and even survival. Each night, we devote approximately two hours to dreaming. Over a lifespan of 80 years, this accumulates to nearly 60,000 hours — akin to a decade of waking life. Such a considerable investment suggests that dreaming must confer some advantage; otherwise, why dedicate so much time to it? And everyone dreams... even if recollection evades us at times. We tend to remember the most peculiar ones, like the dream where Tom Hiddleston and I found ourselves rowing a boat amidst a storm, munching on sandwiches. That was bizarre. Nearly half of us recall at least one dream per week, with women more likely to remember their dreams daily compared to men. The brain undergoes several sleep phases, recurring throughout the night in cycles. Initially, we transition from wakefulness to sleep, accompanied by relaxation and slowed breathing. This leads to light sleep, characterized by further decreased breathing and body temperature. Subsequently, deep sleep ensues, distinguished by delta wave patterns in the brain. Finally, we enter REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the stage where dreaming occurs. Throughout REM, brain activity surges, approaching wakeful levels. Practically all animals, from whales to wombats, partake in sleep, with many experiencing REM sleep. Hence, scientists posit that numerous animals, including our beloved pets, likely dream — perhaps of chasing a tantalizing red ball. Dream interpretation has evolved considerably throughout history. Across diverse cultures, dreams have carried spiritual significance, with interpretations even found in biblical texts. Ancient Egypt particularly embraced dream deciphering, compiling extensive volumes of common dreams and their purported meanings. Professional interpreters consulted these texts to decode dream messages for individuals seeking guidance. The belief in dreams as vessels of hidden messages persisted through the early 20th century. In 1900, Sigmund Freud's seminal work, "Interpretation of Dreams," popularized the notion that dreams offered insight into unconscious desires. Freud's theory stemmed from his own dream, famously known as "Irma's Injection," in which he postulated that unfulfilled waking wishes manifest in dreams, albeit disguised to conceal their true nature. Building upon Freud's foundation, Carl Jung expanded the realm of dream analysis, identifying universal archetypal symbols and suggesting dreams serve both compensatory and prospective functions. Despite these historical perspectives, modern scientific inquiry has shifted away from Freudian and Jungian frameworks. Contemporary researchers investigate the potential physiological functions and advantages of dreaming. Initially, dreams were perceived as mere byproducts of neurological processes — random neural firings stitched together by the brain into coherent narratives. However, empirical evidence contradicted this notion, revealing patterns and recurring themes within dreams. Subsequently, researchers proposed that dreams serve vital roles in brain function and cognition. Dream content often reflects waking experiences, particularly activities involving learning. Studies indicate that replaying experiences in dreams aids in memory consolidation, facilitating the transfer of short-term memories to long-term storage. Furthermore, dreams offer a platform for problem-solving and creativity. Individuals may find solutions to challenges by incubating problems before sleep, as demonstrated by the Tetris study, where participants dreamt about the game's imagery after extended gameplay. Despite these cognitive benefits, dreams can also turn nightmarish, plunging individuals into distressing scenarios. The Threat-Simulation Theory posits that nightmares serve as rehearsal spaces for confronting threatening situations, preparing individuals to cope with adversity. Similarly, the Social Simulation Theory suggests that dreams simulate social interactions, offering practice in navigating interpersonal relationships. Beyond psychological functions, dreams have inspired artistic and scientific breakthroughs. Notable works, such as The Beatles' "Yesterday," Salvador Dali's surreal masterpieces, and Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," have origins rooted in dream experiences. Scientists explore "Dream Incubation" techniques to enhance creativity and problem-solving through pre-sleep priming. Despite the multifaceted nature of dreaming, its evolutionary origins remain speculative. Some theorize that dreams evolved to maintain brain activity during periods of darkness, preventing the rewiring of critical neural circuits. The visual nature of dreams may serve to engage and sustain the visual cortex during sleep, preserving its functionality. While various hypotheses abound, the true purpose of dreaming remains elusive, subject to ongoing scientific inquiry. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the sleeping mind, each dream offers a fragment of understanding, contributing to a broader comprehension of the science of dreaming. My latest dream was quite the spectacle.

stay curious.