Dreams are a natural and often perplexing part of the human experience. They are vivid, unpredictable, and can leave a lasting impact on our minds long after we wake up. One of the most remarkable aspects of dreams is that they often feel incredibly real, even though they are products of our own imagination.
Why do Dreams Feel So Real?
We have interviewed several dream and sleep experts and noted down the reasons why dreams feel so real and the scientific theories that attempt to explain this phenomenon.
1. Brains Are Incredibly Active During Sleep
One of the main reasons why dreams feel so real is that our brains are incredibly active during sleep. While we are sleeping, our brains are still working to process information, consolidate memories, and perform various other functions.
In fact, some studies suggest that the brain is even more active during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is when most vivid dreams occur. During this stage of sleep, the brain is actively processing visual, auditory, and sensory information, which can create a vivid and immersive dream experience.
2. Our Brain Taps Into Emotion and Memories
Another reason why dreams feel so real is that they often tap into our emotions and memories. Dreams can be triggered by events, thoughts, and emotions that we experienced throughout the day, as well as deeper-seated memories and emotions from our past.
When we dream, our brains are able to create a virtual reality that taps into these emotions and memories, which can make the dream feel incredibly real and emotionally charged.
3. Time Distortion in Dream
The way in which we perceive time during dreams can also contribute to the feeling of reality. In many dreams, time can seem to move at a different pace than it does in waking life.
For example, a dream that seems to last for hours may only take a few minutes in real time. This distortion of time can create a sense of realism in the dream, as the dreamer feels as though they have experienced a long and detailed event.
4. Engage All Our Senses
Furthermore, dreams can feel real because they often engage all of our senses, including touch, taste, and smell. Our brains are capable of simulating these sensory experiences, which can create a fully immersive dream world that feels just as real as the waking world.
This ability to engage all of our senses is why dreams can sometimes be mistaken for real experiences, even though they are entirely fabricated by our own minds.
Scientific Theory
There are also several scientific theories that attempt to explain why dreams feel so real:
Activation Synthesis Theory
One of these theories is the activation-synthesis theory, which suggests that dreams are a result of the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep. According to this theory, the brain receives sensory input during sleep but is unable to create a coherent story or narrative from this input. Instead, the brain creates a dream that attempts to make sense of this random activity by creating a narrative that is based on our memories, emotions, and experiences.
Activation Synthesis Theory is a psychological theory that attempts to explain the origin and purpose of dreaming. This theory was proposed by psychiatrists J. Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley in the late 1970s.
According to the theory, during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the brain receives random sensory input but is unable to create a coherent story or narrative from this input. Instead, the brain creates a dream that attempts to make sense of this random activity by creating a narrative that is based on our memories, emotions, and experiences.
The theory proposes that the brainstem is responsible for generating the random neural activity that gives rise to dreams. This activity is then transmitted to the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for generating the conscious experience of the dream. The cerebral cortex then attempts to make sense of this activity by constructing a narrative that incorporates elements of our memories, emotions, and experiences.
One of the key ideas of the Activation Synthesis Theory is that dreams are essentially meaningless. The theory suggests that dreams are not reflections of our unconscious desires or repressed emotions, but rather they are simply a byproduct of the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.
Critics of the Activation Synthesis Theory argue that it does not fully explain the purpose or function of dreaming. They suggest that dreams may serve a more important function, such as consolidating memories, problem-solving, or emotional regulation.
Threat Simulation Theory
Another theory is the threat simulation theory, which suggests that dreams are a way for the brain to simulate threatening situations in order to prepare us for real-life danger. According to this theory, dreams serve as a kind of training ground for our brains, allowing us to rehearse responses to dangerous situations without actually putting ourselves in harm’s way. This theory helps to explain why many dreams are focused on danger, conflict, and survival.
This theory was first proposed by evolutionary psychologists Antti Revonsuo and Katja Valli in the late 1990s. According to the theory, dreaming serves as a kind of virtual reality that allows us to practice and rehearse responses to dangerous situations without actually putting ourselves in harm’s way. Dreams are thought to help us prepare for potential threats and dangers by allowing us to explore different scenarios and possible responses.
The Threat Simulation Theory suggests that dreams are more likely to be focused on threatening or dangerous situations, such as being chased by a predator or falling from a great height. These kinds of dreams are thought to be particularly helpful for preparing us to deal with potential dangers in waking life.
The theory proposes that the brain is able to simulate threatening situations by drawing on past experiences, memories, and emotions. This simulation is thought to be more effective during REM sleep, which is when most vivid dreams occur. During REM sleep, the brain is able to generate intense emotional experiences that can help to reinforce the memory of these simulated threats.
What is The Difference Between Lucid Dreams and Vivid Dreams?
The primary distinction between lucid dreams and vivid dreams lies in the dreamer’s awareness. In lucid dreams, the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming and may have some control over the dream, while in vivid dreams, the dreamer experiences highly detailed and realistic dream scenarios without realizing they are dreaming. Both types of dreams can be captivating and unforgettable, offering unique insights into the complexity of the human mind and the vastness of the dream world.
Bottom Line
Dreams feel so real because they engage all of our senses, tap into our emotions and memories, and are processed by an incredibly active brain. The feeling of realism in dreams is a result of our brain’s ability to create a virtual reality that is based on our experiences and emotions.
While there are many theories that attempt to explain why dreams feel so real, the true nature of this phenomenon remains largely unknown. Despite this mystery, the vivid and immersive experience of dreaming remains a fascinating and integral part of the human experience.
