Why is it so challenging for us to remember our dreams?
We spend a third of our lives sleeping. Yet, it can often be quite challenging to recall the details of our dreams. Why does the brain first present us with beautiful imagery and then erase it from our memory?
https://www.techinsider.ru/science/1541491-pochemu-my-zabyvaem-nashi-sny-i-mozhno-li-nauchitsya-ih-zapominat/2024-12-13 08:19:07
Dreams are essential for better retention of the information we acquire throughout the day. But why do we forget 90% of our dreams?
Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we compile the latest scientific findings and insights from reputable health experts. However, remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment. Sleep is a sequence of thoughts, images, and feelings that emerge in our consciousness while we rest. Dreams occur when specific areas of the brain are activated through a series of electrical patterns and chemical reactions.
There are several theories about the purpose of dreams, but the primary one suggests that dreams are directly linked to memory consolidation processes. According to research, the sleeping brain replays new knowledge and memories during dreams to reorganize them.
Why do we forget our dreams?
There are several reasons why we forget the dreams we just experienced:
- The electrical signals and chemical reactions that create dreams often fade away as we wake up. Elements of the dream may resurface in our consciousness later, sometimes even on the same day. This might happen because we revisit experiences that reactivate the same brain areas that generated dreams at night. The most vivid dreams can leave a lasting impression because they are tied to strong emotions.
- Sometimes we don’t remember our dreams because we wake up too abruptly, such as when an alarm clock wakes you in the morning. The period during which we awaken is a crucial aspect of the dream recall process. Naturally, this complex mechanism won’t function as it should if you wake up suddenly.
- Various sleep disorders can also make it difficult for a person to remember their dreams. For instance, insomnia can disrupt the REM sleep phase, during which dreams are formed.