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Dreams have always fascinated us, whisking us away to extraordinary worlds while we slumber. But have you ever wondered why some dreams stick with you, while others vanish like a wisp of smoke upon waking? It turns out that the science behind remembering or forgetting dreams is a captivating puzzle.
This week in our 'Mental Health Matters' campaign we talk about dreams and the phenomena behind them. Our expert Sonal Chadha, Lead Clinical Psychologist, RCI Registered, Lissun, explains the reasons why dreams can sometimes be vividly recalled or slip away like sand through our fingers.
The Dance of Sleep Stages
Let's start by understanding the different stages of sleep. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep are the two basic categories of sleep. REM sleep is when dreams often happen, and it's easier to remember them. NREM sleep is more restorative but less likely to produce memorable dreams.
According to Frontiers in Psychology, REM allows the dreamer to scan the dream's imagined setting (scanning hypothesis), the cerebral cortex's activation allows for intense cognitive activity, leading to the complex narratives of a dream, and the lack of muscle tone prevents the dreamer from acting out his dreams.
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The Power of Emotions
Chadha said, “Emotions play a big role in dream recall. Dreams that trigger strong emotions like fear, joy, or sadness tend to stay with us longer. Our brains prioritise memories with emotional significance, so those intense dreams find a cosy spot in our memory banks.”
Jotting It Down
Keeping a dream journal can be a nifty trick for improving dream recall. By jotting down your dreams as soon as you wake up, you engage in a process called memory consolidation. It helps move dream memories from the short-term storage of your mind to the long-term shelves, making them easier to retrieve later. So, grab that notebook and pen!
You Are Who You Dream
Chadha said, “Believe it or not, your personality can affect how well you remember your dreams. Those who are open-minded, creative, and introspective tend to have better dream recall compared to more practical folks. So, if you're an imaginative soul, your dreams might be more likely to stick around in your memory.”
The Brain Chemistry Factor
Neurotransmitters, the brain's chemical messengers, have a role to play in dream recall. Chadha added, “Acetylcholine keeps us awake and promotes REM sleep, which is when dreams occur. On the other hand, serotonin inhibits REM sleep.” When these neurotransmitters are out of balance, they can affect dream memory. Certain medications and substances can also mess with their levels and impact dream recall.
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Unravelling the Mystery
Chadha said, “While we've uncovered some insights into dream recall, there's still much we don't fully understand. The uniqueness of dream memory means that each person's experience is different. Scientists continue to study sleep and dreams, hoping to reveal more about the intricate workings of our minds during these nocturnal adventures.”
Bottomline
Chadha concluded, “Dreams have a way of captivating and puzzling us, and understanding why we remember or forget them adds to their intrigue. As we explore the realms of sleep and dreams, we're slowly piecing together the puzzle of dream recall. So the next time you wake up with a vivid dream lingering in your mind or a hazy memory slipping away, know that the secrets behind dream memory are being unravelled, bringing us closer to understanding the mysteries that unfold in our slumber.”