Dreams are images, thoughts and feelings experienced while sleeping that are thought to be associated with Rapid Eye Movement sleep. The biological purpose is still unclear to scientists, though it has been a topic of speculation and interest throughout history.

Neurology and Dreams

There is no universal definition to the meaning behind dreams. Scientists who have studied participants in sleep laboratories across the world can however agree on one thing, that dreams strongly have to do with Rapid Eye Movement sleep. During a dream related study 10 participants were hooked up to an electroencephalogram device to monitor brain activity. During a REM period of sleep when the individual was experiencing a dream the brain scan showed the brain in a state of wakefulness as opposed to a normally mundane comparison in a state of NREM sleep. Dreams originate in the brain however there is not one individual center of the brain that controls our dreaming as there once was perceived to be. During a state of dreaming the brain automatically sends out signals to suppress certain neurotransmitters. As a result the motor neurons are not stimulated, a condition known as REM Atonia, which allows the brain to begin to move into a dream state. The suppression of these neurons also prevents dreams resulting in dangerous body movements.

Memory and Meaning

Studies suggest that dreams are ever-present excitations of waking life and the awkwardness of dreams stems from the finding that electrical excitations of the cortex give rise to similar experiences as dreams. During waking life the executive function of the brain interprets long-term memory with reality checking. The brain and memory work hand in hand to store images, feelings, and experiences to create dreams. The long-term memory can store information for many years even after it is long forgotten. Different regions of the brain are responsible for processing millions of stimuli that we encounter everyday of our waking lives.

There is really no one meaning to explain dreams and all that is known for certain is that dreams are a combination of the conscious and non-conscious regions of the brain. The non-conscious side tends to be the dominating force of the dream resulting in its own meaning and mental processes capabilities.

Interpretation and History

Dreams were once used as a method of healing, guidance and inspiration by the Greeks.

Some Native American tribes used dreams as a healing passage to clear the mind and cleanse the soul. The Jewish religion promotes a ceremony called hatovat chalom which literally means to dream a good one. Many cultures have used dreams to heal, promote a sense of safety and happiness. Each person will interpret a dream differently it they can recall it. Most dreams recall negative content usually stemming from a fear, anxiety or other stressor in ones life however most dreams fall under common themes such as life, death, embarrassment, immobility and love. Dreams are believed to hold some meaning relating to our waking lives but the exact type is still unknown. Keep on dreaming!