Ever wondered what a dream is and why we do it? You're not alone
Dreaming is a universal experience. It comes as naturally to us as breathing, yawning or sneezing, but if you've ever taken a moment to wonder what a dream actually is and why we do it, you're in good company.
Scientists, psychologists and philosophers alike have dedicated countless hours to studying sleep and dreaming and put forward several theories, but it is still shrouded in mystique.
"It's very difficult to study what happens when we dream," Dr Nathan Cross, a research fellow at the University of Sydney tells 9honey.
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Why we dream is a question that still stumps scientists, but scientific advancements have given us a better insight. Graphic: Polly Hanning
Dr Cross has dedicated his career to studying sleep and explains that while the science of dreaming is a difficult one to pin down, modern scientific advancements have given us a better insight into the strange bedtime phenomenon.
So what is actually happening in our brains when we hit the pillow, and what is behind the subconscious cinema we check into every night?
Science of sleep
To understand this, we first need to understand what is happening in our brains when we sleep.
"Your brain is very active while you sleep. So it's doing a lot of work even though you're unconscious and not aware of it," Dr Cross says.
During sleep, we cycle between two phases of sleep – Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep – and there are currently two main theories as to what our brains are doing during these cycles.
Researchers conducted a serial awakening paradigm which revealed that a certain part of the brain responsible for visual stimuli is activated when we dream. Getty
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The first is that when our bodies dip into a state of unconsciousness, our brains go into self-cleaning mode where they literally clear out the plaque and proteins, which Dr Cross refers to as "toxic waste", from our brains that are no longer needed. The second is a process Dr Cross refers to as "memory consolidation" where our brains process the memories from our day.
What causes a dream?
It's this memory consolidation process that is currently the leading theory behind what causes us to dream, Dr Cross explains.
A recent foray into dream research called the serial awakening paradigm studied individuals in a sleep laboratory. Dr Cross explains this "research has shown that there are some specific brain frequency patterns that occur in a particular part of the brain called the temporo-parieto-occipital junction" when we dream which is "responsible for visual stimuli".
It's the stimulation of this part of the brain that may explain why we experience a visual experience, or dream, when we sleep.
Where do dream visuals come from?
The visuals in our dreams are often very lifelike and we can recall faces, places, objects and events from our dreams, but whether these visuals are based on our waking reality or completely random "is still up for debate" in the world of neuroscience, according to Dr Cross. However he explains the general consensus is that these visuals are in some way linked to our memories.
"People often report things that appear in their dreams that they have been thinking about or have been related to them," he says.
In the case where someone may dream of something they haven't seen or thought of in years, Dr Cross explains this could be due to a phenomenon where the brain is churning through "randomised" data in a way to reset or refresh the brain.
When do you dream?
A common misconception about dreams is that they only occur during the phase of sleep known as REM sleep. Dr Cross explains that we actually dream during all phases of sleep, but the dreams that occur during REM sleep are more "vivid" and "story-like".
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Dr Nathan Cross explains that it is common for light sleepers to remember their dreams more vividly and regularly than those who sleep deeply. Oleg Breslavtsev / Moment RF / Getty Images
Meanwhile, dreams in non-REM sleep are more likely to be random images that "flash in the brain" without any rhyme or reason to them.
It is also understood that we are more likely to remember the dreams that occur in REM sleep, as this is a lighter stage of sleep in which we are more prone to waking. As for those who don't recall their dreams very often, Dr Cross says this is simply a sign you are a deep sleeper. Those who experience light sleep are the ones who are more likely to remember their dreams more frequently.
Why do you dream?
While science has been able to theorise what is happening in our brains when we sleep, it is a lot harder to understand the purpose of dreaming from a neuroscience perspective, Dr Cross explains.
Many in the field of psychology, however, believe that dreams are a way to connect with our subconscious – a theory that stems back to the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.
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The science into why we sleep still remains a mystery but modern psychology has a strong theory into the sleep phenomenon. iStock
Debbie Ford, a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and dream analyst, explains that "the dream is like a bridge between our conscious and unconscious world" and believes by analysing our dreams we can tap into warnings, beliefs or desires that may be held deep within our psyche.
Ford's experience in analysing her clients' dreams has shown her dreams will regularly provide "clues" into a client's individual experiences, often recurring regularly until they have "got the message".
"Dreaming is a very healing tool and it's a tool that not many people pay attention to," she explains.
Common dream symbols
Ford says people may notice metaphors and symbols in their dreams that can provide insight into what the psyche is trying to communicate. While she says these symbols are often subjective, there are some common symbols that can have a universal meaning.
For those who dream of flying, Ford says this could be a sign they "need a new perspective" or that their "ego [has become] a bit inflated", while dreams of falling may be a sign someone is stumbling and needs to "stay grounded".
Dreams of being pregnant are "very common" as well, Ford explains, and may evoke various symbolic meanings, including "new growth, new beginnings, and transformation".
Meanwhile, snakes and serpents are another common dream symbol that "are often associated with hidden knowledge and may appear when one is searching for a deeper insight into their own inner world." They can also be a symbol of "transformation" as a reptile that "can shed its skin, survive and renew", Ford explains.
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