It surprises some people to know they actually have four or five dreams per night. But research has proven this is absolutely true.
Let’s start at the beginning. There are two distinct types of sleep phases. One has been given the unpretentious acronym, “REM”, for “rapid eye movement,” while the other is simply called NREM, for “non-rapid eye movement.” By studying volunteers in labs, researchers have been able to observe this very distinct “REM” action. Actually, this eye movement has been observed in animals as well.
These two phases of sleep (REM and NREM) follow each other throughout the course of the sleep cycle. The only difference is the increase in the duration of REM as the sleep cycle goes on. The cycle of NREM and REM repeats itself several times throughout the night (or sleep cycle). This repetition occurs at approximately ninety-minute intervals. So, as the night progresses, our dreams increase in length. On average, the first one begins at about ten minutes, increasing to anywhere between twenty and forty minutes in length. It is this last dream that most people remember.
To be more specific, during our wake cycle, we are in the Beta state, which is the state where our fastest brain waves occur. As we lie down to sleep and become drowsy, our brain waves begin to move more slowly.
Then, as we begin to drift into the Alpha wave pattern, we can actually feel ourselves moving in and out of reality. As our brain waves continue to slow down, we move rapidly from Alpha to Theta and finally to the Delta state. All this takes place in a matter of minutes.
Once we reach the Delta state for the first time of the night, an interesting thing happens. Our bodies become quite still and researchers have commented that from a distance, it looks as if we are watching something. This, of course, is indeed true. We are watching our own inner dramas, otherwise known as our dreams!
Many times we have serial dreams. That is, many dreams that surround the same theme. Since our dream recall usually only centers around our final dream, we only realize that we have had serial dreams after having them for several nights.
NEXT: Some interesting tidbits about dreams
9 thoughts on “What Science Tells Us About Dreams”
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Hi Ariel,
I had a recurring dream several times when I was younger and the last one being in my 30’s..a beautiful little girl with light skin and green eyes..when I awoke I “missed” her for days…each time.
ST
Thanks hun. I think you are right.
I have had dreams where I have seen a chinese lady, but I felt it was me???
Seriously. So you are right.
Miss Krystal
Psychic Jacqueline x9472 said in reply to Miss Krystal ext. 9192…
Hi Miss Krystal,
I think it is so interesting dreaming the same thing over and over again, I think it is in some form a recollection of past lifes, perhaps from a memeory cell.
Have a Wonderful 4th…
Blessings and Hugs!
Psychic Jacqueline x9472
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I have been having really violent an lucid dreams about horrible things.. death an its to real an goary and crazy! not just ppl dying im killing them in very bad ways. every night.. and its ppl i know.. its not scary to me i find it interseting (not in a bad way) but its kinda wierd i wake up an think “what is wrong with me?”
any clues as to what could be causing it?
Hi Jaqueline-
I have had the same dreams over and over again. ie-falling off a cliff, seeing mice and rats, being free in a candy store, a friend who passed away saying the same thing to me, dreams of china, my old house..etc those are just a few. The same thing, over and over–
I need to sleep a lot. I just get upset when I can’t sleep as much as I want…
It’s a good rescue….
Cheers,
Miss Krystal
Hi Gina Rose,
Thnx for your kind comments~!
You are absolutely correct~~if we don’t get enough sleep, it truly does effect our dreams, and…our health.
Next week’s dream article has something about the belief the ancient Greeks had about sickness and dreams. I think you will find it entertaining.
Much luv & lite,
Ariel
Psychic Jacqueline said…
Great stuff on dreams, I often have the same dreams over and over again only to find I wake up absolutely exhausted, as if I was up all night long, literally living the dream, I received conformation on my suspicion that I was truly astro traveling, now that I understand it….. it is the time I receive so much information and knowledge, I actually love it and do it often, Anyone have any ideas on this…..
Blessings,
Psychic Jacqueline x9472
Hi Ariel,
I really enjoy reading your articles on dreams and sleep.
I need 8 to 10 hours per day sleep to maintain focus and clarity for my readings.
Having said that though, it always amazes me how many people, in general, don’t realize how important sleep AND dreaming is for mind,body,& spirit. The Psychiatrists I read for tell me that not only is sleep essential , but dreaming is equally important too. When we don’t get enough sleep, it affects our ability to dream as well.
Personally speaking, whenever I feel a cold coming on…..I can generally ” head it off at the pass ” by just hopping into bed and sleeping.
I also, on a regular basis, can be in the middle of a dream, wake up,and go right back to sleep, only to pick up the dream where it left off. LOL….Kind of like hitting the ” pause ” button on the DVD player.
I look forward to more articles, posted by you, on dreams and dreaming.
Blessed Be )O(…..Gina Rose ext.9500