We all know that ‘dreaming’ is a common theme in both song lyrics and movies, often representing an imaginative and idealistic state of mind. Besides the title of this article, most of us probably know song like ‘Dream On’ by Aerosmith, ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ by the Eurythmics. Many songs and films explore the different aspects of dreams, including their surreal nature, mysteriousness, and symbolic significance. Dreaming is often used as a metaphor for hope, passion, and longing for a better future in music and cinema. Many songs and movies portray dreaming as a mode of escapism or a way to break free from mundane reality. Different genres of music and movies tackle the topic of dreaming, from romantic ballads and catchy pop songs to indie films and surrealist artworks. But, what are dreams and why do we dream…?

We all know that ‘dreaming’ is a common theme in both song lyrics and movies, often representing an imaginative and idealistic state of mind. Besides the title of this article, most of us probably know song like ‘Dream On’ by Aerosmith, ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ by the Eurythmics. Many songs and films explore the different aspects of dreams, including their surreal nature, mysteriousness, and symbolic significance. Dreaming is often used as a metaphor for hope, passion, and longing for a better future in music and cinema. Many songs and movies portray dreaming as a mode of escapism or a way to break free from mundane reality. Different genres of music and movies tackle the topic of dreaming, from romantic ballads and catchy pop songs to indie films and surrealist artworks. But, what are dreams and why do we dream…?

Dreams – Why do We Dream?

The exact reason behind why we dream is still unknown and scientists have proposed many theories over the years. Some possible reasons why we dream are:

Consolidation of Memories: One theory suggests that dreams help us consolidate our memories and happenings of the day. While we sleep, our brain processes information from the day and helps transfer it into long-term memory.

Problem-Solving: Dreams could also be our brain’s way of problem-solving. This could be why we often have unexpected solutions to our problems after we’ve had a good night’s sleep.

Emotional Regulation: Our dreams could be a way to regulate our emotions and deal with our anxieties. During dreams, our brain has the opportunity to create a safe space where we can confront our fears and find ways to cope.

Random Neural Activity: Our dreams could be a result of random neural activity that occurs while we sleep. In essence, when we sleep, our brains are still active and firing neurons, so it’s possible that dreams are simply a byproduct of this neural activity.

However, research is still ongoing, and there’s still a lot to learn about dreams.

Can Dreams Predict Future Events?

Dr. Stanley Krippner is a renowned expert in the fields of parapsychology, psychology, and the study of consciousness, with a special interest in precognitive dreaming for over 50 years. He firmly believes that every person has the ability to experience precognitive dreams, and has conducted empirical research to support this claim. In a recent study, participants were asked to dream about a future event while being woken up multiple times during the night to narrate their dreams to an experimenter. The next morning, a random experience was chosen for the dreamer to undergo. Judges compared the dreams of the participants to their experiences and found that on most nights, at least one dream matched with a future event. While scientists are not quite sure of the mechanism behind precognitive dreaming, it has been documented that twins have similar dreams, suggesting that it is a phenomenon worth exploring. Advances in laboratory technology have made it possible to study telepathic effects in precognitive dreams, providing hope for further breakthroughs in this field.

An international team of scientists made headlines in Current Biology by successfully engaging in what they called “interactive dreaming,” or real-time dialogues with individuals in the midst of a dream. The study focused on lucid dreamers who conversed with non-dreaming researchers, and the unique ways in which communication manifested itself in the dreams. Precognitive dreaming also piques the interest of experts in various fields, such as Dale Graff, who has experience in the aerospace industry and has conducted technical intelligence assignments for the Department of Defense. Graff has discussed the concept of Psi dreaming and its potential for scientific research. Dr. Teresa DeCicco, a Professor of Psychology and published author on dreaming and spiritual psychology, speaks to a remarkable experience shared by one of her students. The student had a dream just prior to the September 11 attacks, in which an airplane struck the CN Tower in Toronto and her father was accused of being the pilot. The dream was so vivid that it woke the student from her REM activity, and the events that followed in real life bore eerie similarities to her dream.

Spooky Nightmares

I guess we all have experienced some scary nightmares. A nightmare can be so real that we wake up sweating in the middle of the night thinking ”Oh, fortunately it was just a bad dream.” What exactly are nightmares? Well, I can assure you, it’s not always like ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street,’ but nightmares can be frightening or distressing dreams that can cause feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness. They can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, trauma, medication, or sleep disorders. Nightmares can occur in people of all ages and can be more intense and frequent in children. They can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue, moodiness, and difficulty concentrating during the day. Treatment for nightmares may involve addressing underlying medical or psychological conditions, practicing relaxation techniques, or undergoing therapy.

Hey! Where Are You Going? – Sleepwalking

OK, so we all have experienced nightmares but what about sleepwalking? A recent study found that adult sleepwalking is a potentially serious condition that may induce violent behaviours and affect health-related quality of life. Sleepwalking is a common parasomnia affecting up to 4% of adults in the USA. Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a type of sleep disorder in which a person walks or performs other activities while they are asleep. Sleepwalking usually occurs during the first few hours of sleep, during what is known as slow-wave sleep. While sleepwalking, a person may have their eyes open but they will be unresponsive to communication and may not remember the episode the next morning. Sleepwalking can last from a few seconds to up to 30 minutes and can range from simple actions like sitting up in bed to complex actions like driving a car or cooking a meal. Sleepwalking usually occurs in children, but it can also affect adults.

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

A good sleep is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, increasing productivity, and improving overall quality of life. It will also reduce the risk of sleepwalking and having frequent nightmares. In other words, your dreams will be pleasant during a good night’s sleep. During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates itself, consolidates memories, and regulates hormones that affect appetite, mood, and energy levels. Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of negative consequences, including impaired cognitive function, mood disturbances, weakened immune system, and an increased risk of chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

To ensure a good sleep, it is important to establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a comfortable sleep environment, and engage in relaxing activities before bed. It is also recommended to limit caffeine and alcohol intake, and avoid stimulating activities such as using electronic devices before bedtime. Overall, a good sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal physical and mental health, and should be prioritised and valued in our daily routines.

Sometimes Sleep Aid Might Be the Solution

With the exception of a few, I guess we all like to experience enjoyable dreams instead of frightening nightmares or hazardous sleepwalking adventures. Did you ever heard of Jilungin Dream Tea? Supplied by Ancient Purity, this herbal tea made from the leaves of the native Jilungin plant found in Australia, is believed by many to have relaxation and sleep-inducing properties, and is often consumed before bed as a natural way to promote better sleep as well as lucid dreaming. At Ancient Purity we call it ”the native Australian hard-core chamomile alternative.” This ancient Aboriginal tea has a slightly sweet and earthy flavour, and can be consumed hot or cold.

Another solution to experience inspirational dreams might be , which is a hormone that is naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It plays an important role in regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. Melatonin levels increase in the evening, promoting sleepiness, and decrease in the morning, signaling wakefulness. Melatonin supplements are also available as an over-the-counter sleep aid.

Finally I want to say that our subconscious mind harbours our deepest desires, which materialise as dreams. Everyone has dreams, and they inspire us with hope and excitement. They motivate us to stay focused on achieving our goals, whether in our personal or professional lives. Some aspire to become celebrities, others dream of becoming business tycoons or famous sportspeople. Dream Big!

“Dare to dream big, living without dreams is like body without soul” – Invajy