Why Do I Remember My Dreams So Vividly?
We can spend nearly a third of our lives in bed. But, we only sometimes have evidence of what is happening in this dreamlike, mysterious, intriguing universe that is frequently surreal strokes but where profound meanings are written. What causes this? What is the reason why sometimes we can’t recall dreams?
Dali said that the fact Dalis did not comprehend the purpose of his art does not mean that he could not learn the ability to understand it. If I remarked upon this point, it was typically due to reality. A lot of the work of this illustrious painter, artist, sculptor, and set designer was inspired by dreams. Dali was an onironaut, an expert in vivid dreams, which he stimulated himself during sleep.
Some people can recall in detail every one of the dreams they’ve had. But, on the other side, some feel that they haven’t dreamed due to insufficient memories, nearly nonexistent. This phenomenon, the memory or lack of memory of dreams, is due to the brain’s specific area.
Unfortunately, the majority of people do not possess this capability. Furthermore, the percentage of people who can remember the events of dreams is relatively tiny compared to those who leave with an imprint or a feeling, a collection of chaotic and useless images. This fact that for many people may be disconcerting has multiple explanations we’ll discuss.
Why can’t we always remember our dreams? The answer lies in our brains.
Why Do I Remember My Dreams So Vividly?
People typically sleep in cycles of either 90 or 100 minutes. This may be divided into various phases. During the REM phase (fast eye movement sleep), the most vivid dreams happen, leading us into the most exciting and frightening situations. In this state, emotions, and sensations always hover present. It is essential to understand that the REM phase is, in addition to being the most extended phase of sleep, also the most sleepy phase. Thus, it is not uncommon to wake up in a flash and only recall the last moments of the REM phase.
In the wake of the last phases that sleep goes through, many neurologists have told us that our “sleeping brain” has no memory. This means that we are not programmed to keep data in this state since, supposedly, it is not a time when anything significant happens that is useful for us. So, if this assumption is correct, why do many of us fail to remember what we think about and what others do?
The answer is provided by recent research from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. This concept was first proposed by the Journal Neuron after the publication of a series of tests using magnetic resonances.
The secret isn’t other than the Hippocampus. This brain structure is linked to our memories and emotions and is essentially “the culprit” of not being able to remember all those dreams we have every night. Let’s look up more data below.
The Hippocampus and the dreamworld
Why Do I Remember My Dreams So Vividly?
When you fall asleep on the sofa or the bed, your brain is entirely “disconnected”, which is wrong. There is no complete disconnect. However, they do enter a different state of consciousness, so to say. This is why among the final structures that can transition from conscious mode to unconscious is the Hippocampus.
This part is also responsible in addition to that in the transfer of data from the short-term brain into long-term memories. This means that there are those who, for various reasons, experience the detachment of this region a bit longer than others and can keep more of the memory tissue that they dream about. But unfortunately, the remaining 90% of us cannot recall our dreams because we disconnect from the Hippocampus at that moment, the one responsible for identifying our brains for the ability to do things like other “more important” things.
It is also important to note that the Hippocampus is still operational to perform other functions. It is also responsible for other processes essential in these sleep stages; it is used to sort important information from what’s not. Data is erased, removing the multitude of images and information seen in the daytime to preserve the things it believes are essential in long-term memory. The user is so focused on this process that he does not pay any attention to the film of dreams where we’re immersed.
On the other hand, thanks to an article published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, it has been seen that people who usually remember their dreams, in addition to presenting a more conscious hippocampus, had more significant activity in the temporoparietal junction (information processing center in the brain).
Inversely, the difference between people who don’t recall dreams and those that don’t is due to luck, having a brain that has an active hippocampus and is more receptive to sleep.
In addition, a study published in the famous Journal of Science found that some neurons that activate in REM sleep could be implicated in the inability to recollect dreams. This is because these neurons are involved in the production of the MCH hormone, also known as Melanin Concentrating Hormone. It, in turn, plays a crucial part in controlling sleep and circadian rhythm. Additionally, this hormone is associated with a process called the “disconnection” of the Hippocampus, which we discussed previously.
If we cannot remember our dreams, what do we do to realize them?
Why Do I Remember My Dreams So Vividly?
Many would like to recollect each dream transparently. It’s as if, by doing this, they will discern things about themselves that initially appear not evident or even conscious. However, it should be noted that none of the methods used for this purpose is suggested or 100% efficient.
The most frequently cited theory recommends that we program alarm clocks in 30 to 35 minutes intervals. That sudden awakening will allow us to recall the dream, which is the same one we’ll later write down in notebooks. This theory will result in unsatisfactory sleep and not sleeping as we require. We are not suggested.
What can we do to believe in our dreams?
When we experience a dream, the regions of our brains that specialize in visualizing are much more active than other parts. This means that we can easily see the ideas in our unconscious, and when we see these concepts in the form of images during dreams, it’s easy to believe. On the other hand, the brain regions connected to judgment are not as active when we’re in a dream. This is why it’s so easy to accept what we see instead of assessing the authenticity of the feelings or events.
If you are emotionally attracted to a specific circumstance or someone you know you love, you put all your energy and attention into the subject. You think about that particular person or event throughout the day. Your brain isn’t able to not think about that specific thing. If you invest enormous energy in something, it’s nearly impossible not to let it enter your thoughts. For instance, suppose you’re broken because you’re having issues with your partner.
You struggle and cannot figure things out, yet you’re determined to solve the problem. You want to solve things and recognize that this effort alone isn’t possible. However, this doesn’t hinder you from spending your time thinking about it. In your vision, you realize the man is struggling, discuss it with him, and try to figure things out.
The energy you have in your dream fuels this dream, and you see the joy in your eyes. It is possible that you awake with smiling faces. You have put so much force into the dream with your passion. This dream felt more real than it was. When you wake up, it takes an hour to comprehend that it was not an experience. Dreams are magical and can do this to people when they’re fed enough.
To end by saying that if we don’t remember our dreams, our brain doesn’t consider them essential. In addition, on average, the dreams we remember are usually the most significant. This is because they have more emotional components, and consequently, they may have the message to be interpreted to the extent that it’s impossible.
Why Do I Remember My Dreams So Vividly?, DreamsAnalyst