Some theories that explain why we dream are that dreams can represent our thoughts and desires or serve to create or consolidate learning and memory, for example.
Over the years, several studies and investigations have been carried out on the brain, but much about how it works still remains a great mystery, with no consensus among the various types of scientists and researchers.
Although most agree that dreams are a collection of images that we see during the day, there is no unanimous explanation as to why this happens, and therefore, some theories on why we dream are proposed.
6 theories that explain why we dream
The main theories that try to explain why dreams are:
1. We dream to make our desires come true
Everything we remember from dreams is a representation of our most unconscious and primitive thoughts, wants and desires. In this way, the conscious mind is able to have direct contact with what we really desire, allowing us to more easily achieve personal fulfillment.
By knowing what we most deeply desire, we are able to take more concrete steps in our daily lives 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 in solving a maze when you sleep and dream about that maze.
Thus, people who tried to exit the maze for the second time and had dreamed had a success rate 10 times higher than those who tried for the second time without dreaming about the maze.
This could mean that some memory processes only happen while we sleep and, therefore, our dreams could just be a sign that these processes are happening during sleep.
3. We dream to forget
Our brain contains more than 10 billion trillion neural connections that are created every time we think or do something new.
In 1983, a study on the brain suggested that while we sleep, especially during the REM sleep phase, the brain’s neocortex reviews all connections and eliminates unnecessary ones, resulting in dreams.
4. We dream to keep our brains working
According to this theory, dreams result from the brain’s constant need to create and consolidate memories. Therefore, when there is no type of activity that stimulates the brain, as happens while we sleep, the brain activates an automatic process that generates images through memories, just to keep itself busy.
In this way, dreams would be compared to a screen saver, like what happens on cell phones or laptops, which prevents the brain from being completely turned off.
5. We dream to train our instincts
Dreams about dangerous situations are generally considered nightmares and, therefore, are not the types 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 flight or fight instincts, if they are needed one day.
6. We dream to heal the mind
The neurotransmitters responsible for stress are much less active during sleep, even when we dream about traumatic experiences. For this reason, some researchers believe that one of the main purposes of dreams is to remove the negative charge from these painful experiences, to allow psychological healing.
Thus, the theory supports the idea that, during sleep, we can review our negative memories with less stress, which can end up helping us overcome our problems with greater clarity and in a psychologically healthier way.
What do 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:
- Cobra: seeing a snake or being bitten by one indicates that there are hidden fears or worries;
- Puppy: this dream represents values such as loyalty, generosity and protection and, therefore, it can mean that the person has strong values and good intentions;
- Teeth falling out: usually indicates a lack of self-confidence or shame;
- Mouse: may indicate that the person is spending a lot of time on unimportant problems;
- Money: money means confidence, success and value, therefore, it can indicate that there is prosperity within the person’s reach;
- Spiders: seeing a spider can mean that the person feels like a stranger in a certain situation, or it can indicate the need to keep a distance from a situation;
- Be pregnant: generally indicates that there is an aspect of the person’s personal life that is growing and developing;
- Babies: Seeing a baby in a dream indicates innocence and new beginnings. Babies typically symbolize purity and vulnerability;
- Hair: dreaming about hair indicates virality, seduction and sensuality;
- Death: dreaming about someone’s death means that we miss the quality that makes that person special in our life.
These meanings are not proven by science, but they can often represent the periods the person is going through and, therefore, are often considered true.
