Dreams

Picture this scenario: It is the winter of 1862 and you find yourself in Belgium, working diligently as a chemistry professor. Your focus is on unraveling the enigmatic structure of Benzene, a hydrocarbon molecule known for its pungent odor and high flammability. Unlike most hydrocarbons, Benzene defies convention by having an equal number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, precisely six of each. This peculiar composition raises the question of how these atoms harmoniously bond together. Feeling frustrated, you swivel your chair towards the comforting warmth of the crackling fire and succumb to a brief slumber. As you drift into the realm of dreams, a vivid tapestry of atoms and molecules materializes before your mind's eye. They transform into a mesmerizing sequence of serpents, until one serpent coils around and bites its own tail, resembling the ancient symbol of the ouroboros. In that transformative moment, you unlock the elusive chemical structure of Benzene, just as the renowned German chemist August Kekulé did in 1862. This groundbreaking revelation forever altered the course of organic chemistry, earning Kekulé a statue that has become a beloved canvas for creative attire. Astonishingly, this pivotal discovery occurred during his slumber. This remarkable occurrence prompts a profound question: What is the purpose behind our dreams?

August Kekule's remarkable discovery of the molecular shape of benzene is widely recognized as one of the most renowned dreams in history. However, the significance of dreaming extends far beyond scientific breakthroughs in chemistry for the majority of individuals. For thousands of years, humans have been intrigued by the purpose and meaning behind our dreams, dating back to the earliest inquiries. Since dreaming occurs exclusively during our periods of sleep, unraveling its true nature has proven to be an exceptionally challenging question to address.

Throughout history, eminent thinkers such as the Greek philosopher Plato and the Confucian scholar Zhu Xi have pondered the function and significance of dreams. Nevertheless, it is only in recent decades that scientific experiments have begun to shed light on the potential benefits that our nocturnal narratives may offer. Yes, you read that correctly: benefits, in plural form. Scientists now believe that dreams serve multiple functions that can influence our achievements, intelligence, and even our survival. On average, each of us spends approximately two hours dreaming every night. Over the course of an 80-year lifespan, this amounts to nearly 60,000 hours, equivalent to a decade of waking life! Clearly, dreaming must serve some purpose, otherwise, we wouldn't devote such a substantial amount of time to it.

Interestingly, everyone dreams, even if we don't always recall them. We are more likely to remember our most peculiar dreams, such as the one where I found myself rowing a boat across the ocean with Tom Hiddleston, only to be caught in a storm and enjoy sandwiches together. That was certainly an odd experience (and it actually happened). Nearly half of us can recall at least one dream per week, with women being more inclined to remember their dreams on a daily basis compared to men. The brain undergoes various phases during sleep, which are repeated in cycles throughout the night. The initial phase involves transitioning from wakefulness to sleep as relaxation sets in and breathing slows. Subsequently, light sleep ensues as body temperature decreases and breathing further decelerates. Finally, the deep sleep phase commences, characterized by a distinct pattern of delta waves in the brain.

Following that, the REM or "rapid eye movement" sleep stage commences. Your breathing accelerates, and your eyes move rapidly. This is the stage where dreaming occurs. Throughout this phase, your brain is highly active, almost as active as when you are awake.

Nearly all other animals, such as whales, wombats, and wildebeests, also sleep. Many of them experience REM sleep as well. Therefore, scientists believe that these animals also dream, including your cat or dog. Perhaps they dream about chasing that delicious, juicy, red ball.

The perception of dreams has evolved significantly throughout history. In most cultures worldwide, dreams have held spiritual significance. There are even dream interpretations mentioned in the Bible. However, nowhere was the decoding of dreams more popular than in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians compiled extensive volumes of books containing common dreams and their supposed meanings. Professional dream interpreters utilized these books to assist individuals in deciphering the meanings of their dreams.

Dreamer: I had a dream that my leg came off!

Interpreter: Oh my, that signifies that deceased individuals are passing judgment on you.

Dreamer: Oh no!

Dreamer: I dreamt that I died violently!

Interpreter: Oh, that's fantastic!

Dreamer: Really?

Interpreter: Absolutely! It means you will have a long life.

Dreamer: Okay?

Dreamer (with a smile): I had a dream that I poured a jug of my urine into the Nile.

Interpreter (perplexed): Seriously?

Dreamer: Yes, really!

Interpreter: Well, actually, that's also a great omen! It signifies that your harvest will be abundant.

Oh, of course.

The belief that dreams held hidden messages to be interpreted or decoded remained the prevailing perspective on dreams throughout the early 20th century. In 1900, Sigmund Freud published his influential book, "Interpretation of Dreams." In this book, he asserted that dream interpretation could be used to comprehend unconscious desires. It all began when he had a dream, a dream so renowned that it has its own name... and even a Wikipedia page. It is known as Irma's Injection. "A large hall - numerous guests, whom we were receiving."

It revolved around a former patient of Freud's whom he believed he couldn't fully cure due to her refusal of his treatment. "I immediately pulled her aside, as if to respond to her letter and admonish her for not accepting my 'solution' yet." This dream sparked Freud's theory that our unfulfilled desires during wakefulness are expressed in our dreams. Since some of these desires may be embarrassing, Freud believed that our minds intentionally confuse the dreams to conceal their true meaning. Carl Jung expanded on Freud's theories by considering archetypal symbols that frequently appear in dreams, such as a wise old sage or a trickster, as universally shared among humans. Jung believed that dreams were interpretable if we could decipher the code of these universal symbols, which he referred to as the "language" of dreams. According to Jung, dreams served two purposes: they compensated for aspects that the dreamer ignored or repressed, and they provided the dreamer with hints about future events. Many individuals still seek meaning in their dreams, particularly regarding the future. In one study, people were more inclined to cancel their trip if they had dreamt about a plane crash the day before their flight, compared to receiving a government warning about a "high risk of a terrorist attack." However, modern science has moved away from Freud and Jung's perspective of dreams as concealed messages to decode or interpret.