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Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

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Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#21

Post by axaxs »

drevil-v2 wrote: post #19

Hmmm this is interesting. I wonder if people that cannot sleep more than 4-5 hours per night also have very vivid dreams? And therefore the brain cleaning REM cycle is just more intense and prolonged so the mind-body decides it does not need to sleep any longer?

Data point, unsure if helpful. I sleep plenty but wake up at least once per night. My most vivid dreams always occur in my last sleep, usually after 6am. I can literally live a lifetime in my dreams between 6 and 9am. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but because my dreams are less than stellar, I usually dread going back to bed.

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#22

Post by esperent »

dwighttk wrote: post #14
pixelbash wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotally some b6/b12 supplements have given both me and my partner very intense dreams and vivid recall. No idea what the mechanism might be (Or if it's a preservative/etc) but potentially an interesting data point?

I’ve heard Stilton cheese has a similar effect. (Haven’t tried) Also whatever malaria drug I took was supposed to have intense dreams as a side effect. (Don’t remember any)

IIRC the cheese thing is basically a myth, any heavy food in your stomach when you sleep will cause you to sleep less deeply, wake more often, and consequently, remember more of your dreams.

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#23

Post by Daub »

noncoml wrote: post #6

Dreaming is practicing our survival skills in a safe environment. Nature's "VR", if you want. Reference: Why else am I running naked in the supermarket?

"Dreaming is practicing our survival skills in a safe environment. Nature's "VR", if you want"

This also sounds like a rationale for play. A safe practice zone... a sand box.

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#24

Post by [deleted] »

neom wrote: post #3
dwighttk wrote: post #2

Well. I don’t (or very rarely) remember my dreams. Hope I get the protection anyway.

Out of curiosity, are you a frequent cannabis user? I found I didn't remember my dreams when I smoked cannabis, however after a long break I started to remember dreams vividly.

[deleted]

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#25

Post by JKCalhoun »

axaxs wrote: post #21
drevil-v2 wrote: post #19

Hmmm this is interesting. I wonder if people that cannot sleep more than 4-5 hours per night also have very vivid dreams? And therefore the brain cleaning REM cycle is just more intense and prolonged so the mind-body decides it does not need to sleep any longer?

Data point, unsure if helpful. I sleep plenty but wake up at least once per night. My most vivid dreams always occur in my last sleep, usually after 6am. I can literally live a lifetime in my dreams between 6 and 9am. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but because my dreams are less than stellar, I usually dread going back to bed.

I often feel these waves of ... something ... flush and course through my head when I drift off and am still semi-conscious. I know it happens when I begin to nap, I think too it may happen early in the morning, just before waking. It feels almost chemical.

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#27

Post by yogrish »

In this article, there is a mention of "constant battle going on inside our brains between different sets of neurons, fighting over who gets control of certain parts of the brain." Because of which visual cortex always gets activated (even in sleep)so that it's neurons are not repurposed for other activities. Hence we dream. http://m.nautil.us/issue/91/the-amazing-brain/your-brain-mak...

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#29

Post by kirykl »

pixelbash wrote: post #7
dwighttk wrote: post #2

Well. I don’t (or very rarely) remember my dreams. Hope I get the protection anyway.

Anecdotally some b6/b12 supplements have given both me and my partner very intense dreams and vivid recall. No idea what the mechanism might be (Or if it's a preservative/etc) but potentially an interesting data point?

Particularly the P5P form of vitamin b6 will cause pretty crazy and vivid dreams

Re: Why do we dream? A new theory on how it protects our brains

#30

Post by drevil-v2 »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #25
axaxs wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Data point, unsure if helpful. I sleep plenty but wake up at least once per night. My most vivid dreams always occur in my last sleep, usually after 6am. I can literally live a lifetime in my dreams between 6 and 9am. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but because my dreams are less than stellar, I usually dread going back to bed.

I often feel these waves of ... something ... flush and course through my head when I drift off and am still semi-conscious. I know it happens when I begin to nap, I think too it may happen early in the morning, just before waking. It feels almost chemical.

I have had the same feeling too during a power nap. It feels like a reboot to me. Perceptually when I wake up I panic thinking it must have been hours then I look at the watch and only 10 minutes have passed.
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