Why do we dream

The scientific study of dreaming is known as Oneirology, and for much of history, it was not considered a legitimate field of study due to the challenges of measuring and observing dreams. In fact, it is estimated that we forget about 95% of our dreams, particularly within the first 10 minutes of waking up. However, in 1952, researchers at the University of Chicago made a groundbreaking discovery. They identified a distinct type of electrical activity that occurs during a specific stage of sleep, known as REM sleep. When individuals were awakened during this stage, they consistently reported having been dreaming. Additionally, during REM sleep, the eyes move rapidly beneath closed eyelids, a phenomenon that can be observed by watching someone sleep. Furthermore, the electrical patterns of the brain during REM sleep closely resemble those of a waking brain. The main distinction lies in the fact that the production of chemicals such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine within the brain is nearly completely inhibited. This results in the cessation of muscle movement, allowing individuals to experience dreams of flying, running, or battling ninjas without physically moving. Individuals with a disorder that prevents complete REM sleep may move during their slumber and act out their dreams, even sleepwalking or getting out of bed. It is important to note two things before proceeding further: firstly, it is possible to wake up and be unable to move due to still being in REM sleep, fully conscious but physically immobile. Conversely, one can also be aware of dreaming while inside a dream, known as lucid dreaming. This state allows for conscious decision-making within the dream, such as flying or having a tea party with historical figures like Abraham Lincoln. Achieving lucid dreaming can be challenging. Researchers managed to deprive mice of REM sleep by placing them in an inverted tub of water, forcing them to stay on a small surface at the top, demonstrating the impact of REM sleep deprivation.

When the mouse experiences this, it can still enter non-REM sleep. However, once it reaches REM sleep and its muscles relax, it falls off the platform into the water, waking up. Researchers discovered that when mice are deprived of REM sleep, they struggle significantly with memory retention. This phenomenon also occurs in humans. For instance, if individuals are asked to recall word pairs and are then deprived of sleep the following day, their memory for the information is notably poor. Memory and REM sleep are interconnected in other ways as well. For example, if a person learns a challenging new skill during the day, such as playing a new instrument or solving a difficult puzzle, the electrical activity in their brain can be measured while they are engaged in the task. Subsequently, while they sleep that night, their brain replays those electrical impulses, aiding in memory consolidation. Many prevailing theories about dreaming suggest that during sleep, the unconscious part of the brain is actively organizing memories and reinforcing connections from the previous day that are essential for the future. Simultaneously, it discards unnecessary information that could clutter the brain. Consequently, the conscious brain detects these electrical impulses and attempts to make sense of them, resulting in the creation of dreams. This could elucidate why dreams often appear fantastical and seemingly nonsensical. The content of dreams may not always seem logical or coherent. They are not direct messages from our brain, but rather a byproduct of our cortex attempting to interpret the various signals and stimuli received from the unconscious mind. In this perspective, dreams are considered as epiphenomena, not a primary function with a specific purpose. Instead, they are seen as accidental outcomes of a more significant underlying process that occurs beyond our conscious awareness. However, some scholars argue that dreams do serve a primary function, which is to help us prepare for potential threats. This belief is based on the observation that negative emotions such as fear, anger, and anxiety are prevalent in dreams. According to this theory, our ancestors, who faced unknown dangers in their environment, used dreams to simulate and cope with potential threats, thus enhancing their ability to deal with anxiety in real life. As a result, individuals who experienced distressing dreams were better equipped to handle stress and had a genetic advantage. The theories we explored today are widely recognized, yet they lack a unanimous agreement among scholars. These theories merely skimmed the surface of the extensive scientific discourse surrounding dreams.