Why do we dream? How do we dream? Can dreams be interpreted?
These are all questions that have been bugging scientists since forever and our dream world is so vast that we might never figure out what dreams actually are.
However, here are 10 mind blowing facts about our dream world that we actually know. Did you know that with a little bit of training you will be able to be aware you are dreaming and even make changes to your dreams, just like Inception?
Find out more in this top 10 facts about dreams.
1. Interpretation
In Ancient Rome, people who had significant or unusual dreams could submit them to interception by the Senate. They had their Senate, we have the Internet.
2. Beatty Papyrus
The Beatty Papyrus is believed to be the oldest ever dream dictionary. It was written around 1350 B.C. and was discovered somewhere near Thebes. If you want to find out more about it, click here.
3. Black and White
It is common among children who have grown up watching black and white television to dream in black and white. Statistically, about 12% of all people have their dreams in black and white.
4. The REM cycle
We experience REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycles of sleep multiple times every night and dreams occur only during this cycle. A REM stage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour and people who suffer from various sleep disorders act out on them during the REM stage.
5. Lucid Dreaming
We forget about 50% of our dreams right after we wake up and this percentage increases from 95% to 99% in the first 10 minutes. This action is due to the fact that dreaming does not require a lot of concentration so the brain categorizes dreaming as a routine activity such as tying your shoes.
One way of remembering what you dream of is through lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is a term used for describing you being aware about the fact you are dreaming. There are also several methods of achieving the lucid dreaming state.
If you are interested in this subject, find more information about it here.
6. Dream occurrence
On average, a person can dream up to 7 times a night during the REM cycles so an average person will spend anywhere from one to two hours a night dreaming.
7. Pets
Have you ever seen your cat or dog move their paws during their sleep or make unusual sounds? That is why even our furry buddies can dream. Although there is not much known about what they dream about, it probably goes the same as it goes for humans.
8. Sleeping disorders
During the first REM stage of our sleep, which sets roughly about 90 minutes after you have successfully fallen asleep, we experience what it’s called “sleep paralysis”. During the REM period, our bodies are basically paralyzed. Some sleeping disorders involving sleep paralysis are described by the people suffering from them as the ability to not be aware you are sleeping and see yourself not being able to move while felling a strange, evil presence in the room with you.
Another strange sleeping disorder is sleepwalking. Sleepwalkers act out on their dreams during the REM cycle and start walking around the house. Some reports have shown that a person was actually able to get in her car and drive to her cousin’s house while sleepwalking.
9. Wet Dreams
Although men might think that women do not dream of sexual stuff as often as they do, they are wrong according to a study conducted in 2007. However, a similar study was conducted in 2009 who concluded that men dream more about sexual activity and sexual intercourse while women dream about kissing and sexual fantasies. The reliability of both these studies is up to your appreciation.
10. How to wake up
If you are aware you are dreaming and want to find a way to wake up, there are several methods. Falling, dying and getting an orgasm are only a few of those methods. Basically, any sort of feeling or action that can cause you physical pleasure or pain can lead you out of your dream world.
However, these feelings or actions are not available when you suffer from sleep paralysis disorder and this is what makes the experience terrifying.
What do you usually dream about?
Use the comment section to post your answers.