Over the years there have been several studies and investigations on the brain, but much about its functioning still remains a great mystery, there being no consensus among the various types of scientists and researchers.
One of these great mysteries relates to the reason we dream. Although most agree that dreams are a collection of images we see during the day, there is no unanimous explanation as to why this happens.
Thus, there are 6 main theories that try to explain the reason of the dreams:
1. We dream to fulfill our desires
All that we remember dreams is a representation of our most unconscious and primitive thoughts, wills, and desires. In this way, the conscious mind can have direct contact with what we really want, allowing us to achieve personal fulfillment more easily.
By knowing what we want most deeply, we have been able to take more concrete steps during our day-to-day to achieve our dreams.
2. We dream to remember
In 2010, a group of scientists came to the conclusion that there is a higher success rate for solving a labyrinth when one sleeps and dreams of this maze. So people who tried to get out of the maze a second time and dreamed had a success rate 10 times higher than those who tried a second time without dreaming about the maze.
This may mean that some memory processes only happen while we sleep, and so our dreams may just be a sign that these processes are happening during sleep.
3. We dream to forget
Our brain contains over 10, 000 trillion neuronal connections that are created whenever we think or do something new.
In 1983, a brain study suggested that while we sleep, especially during the REM sleep phase, the neocortex of the brain reviews all the connections and eliminates the unnecessary ones, resulting in dreams.
4. We dream to keep the brain working
According to this theory, dreams result from the constant need of the brain to create and consolidate memories. So when there is no kind of activity that stimulates the brain, such as when we sleep, the brain activates an automatic process that generates images through memories just to keep busy.
That way, dreams would be compared to a screen saver, as it happens on cell phones or laptops, which prevents the brain from being completely turned off.
5. We dream to train our instincts
Dreams with dangerous situations are generally considered nightmares and therefore are not the kind of dreams we want to remember.
However, according to this theory, nightmares can be very beneficial. This is because they serve to train our basic instincts of escape or struggle, should it be necessary one day.
6. We dream to heal the mind
The neurotransmitters responsible for stress are much less active during sleep, even when we dream of traumatic experiences. For this reason, some researchers believe that one of the main goals of dreams is to take the negative charge from these painful experiences to allow for psychological healing.
Thus, the theory supports the idea that during sleep we can revise our negative memories with less stress, which may ultimately help us overcome our problems more clearly and psychologically healthier.
What Dreams Mean
According to popular belief, when you dream of a certain object, idea, or symbol, it means that something will happen in your life. Some of the most popular beliefs include dreaming about:
- Snake : Seeing a snake or being bitten by an indicates that there are hidden fears or concerns;
- Dog : This dream represents values such as loyalty, generosity and protection and, therefore, can mean that the person has strong values and good intentions;
- Teeth falling : usually indicates lack of self-confidence or shame;
- Mouse : may indicate that the person is spending a lot of time on minor issues;
- Money : money means trust, success and value, so it can indicate that there is propsperity within reach of the person;
- Spiders : Seeing a spider can mean that the person feels a stranger in a particular situation, or may indicate the need to keep the distance from some situation;
- Being pregnant : usually indicates that there is an aspect in the personal life of the person who is growing and developing;
- Babies : Seeing a baby in the dream indicates innocence and new beginnings. Babies usually symbolize purity and vulnerability;
- Hair : dreaming of hair indicates virality, seduction and sensuality;
- Death : To dream about the death of someone means that we miss the quality that makes that person special in our life.
These meanings are not proven by science, but they often represent the periods through which the person is passing, and are therefore often held to be true.
